All articles tagged with #dei
Starbucks has reached a nationwide settlement with Florida over DEI-related hiring practices, agreeing to pay $1 million, stop race- and sex-based hiring goals, and submit annual compliance certifications for four years, with no admission of liability; the deal ends the Florida Civil Rights Act suit while applying to all Starbucks operations.
Axios reports that the Trump administration is intensifying its control over federal data, pushing agencies to alter how they collect and publish information amid political interference concerns. Examples include altering measles case tallies, removing political-interference safeguards at the Census Bureau, and ending EEO-1 workforce data reporting, all as part of a broader effort to politicize data. Critics warn this undermines reliability and transparency, while supporters say it aims to ensure data reflect reality and avoid waste.
A Bentley University-Gallup survey shows rank-and-file workers across parties increasingly support DEI, with 72% saying it should be a business priority and many linking diverse workforces to profitability and innovation, even as Republicans remain skeptical and a gap persists between expectations and corporate performance.
Accenture agreed to pay $25 million to settle DOJ allegations that it discriminated in hiring and promotion decisions for federal contracts by considering race and sex, in a case linked to the government’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative. IBM and Deloitte have also settled for a combined ~$38.5 million this year, bringing total settlements to about $63.5 million across the three firms. The companies did not admit liability, and the settlements come amid a broader crackdown on DEI practices in federal contracting under the Trump administration.
Nike shareholders rejected Proposal 5 from Inspire Investing that would have required a report on the risks and costs of the company’s charitable partnerships and DEI initiatives, including its Corporate Equality Index score. Supporters argued for transparency, while Nike defended its disclosures. The vote highlights conservative concerns about activist branding and its potential to alienate customers and affect stock, as Nike prepares to leave the S&P 100, though Nike says its focus remains on its athletic-business core and risk disclosures. Invested parties say shareholder engagement can push for corporate change even as markets weigh broader factors like China performance and product innovation.
The EEOC plans to end the annual EEO-1 demographic data collection—used to track race, ethnicity, sex and job titles and guide enforcement against bias—arguing it’s unconstitutional or burdensome; critics warn the move would weaken anti-discrimination efforts, obscure disparate impacts, and push the agency toward a more partisan, DEI-opposing stance under the Trump administration.
Minnesota activists from National Target Boycott protested outside Target's Minneapolis headquarters, demanding answers on how a racially offensive children's Halloween costume passed Target's internal review. Target pulled the costume and apologized, saying it is no longer available and that it will review how this happened. Activists call for accountability, representation, and a fundamental shift in corporate culture, while Target notes a rollback of DEI goals is part of broader changes.
Deloitte will pay $21.5 million to settle DOJ claims it discriminated in DEI programs tied to federal contracts, part of a broader False Claims Act inquiry; the company denies liability and does not admit wrongdoing, while a whistleblower group, Alliance for Equal Rights, will receive $4.3 million; Indiana also settled for $1.2 million. The case signals intensified government scrutiny of DEI initiatives in government contracting under the Trump administration.
Target has removed a kids' Halloween costume after social media critics said it resembled a racist caricature, with the company apologizing and saying the outfit was offensive and should never have been sold. The retailer will review how the item was allowed in its assortment as it faces broader scrutiny over its DEI targets and handling of Pride-related products.
Target apologized and pulled the 'Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume' after social-media backlash accusing it of evoking Blackface; the Hyde and EEK Boutique product is no longer for sale, and Target says it is reviewing how the item was approved amid ongoing criticism of its DEI and brand rehabilitation efforts, with shares rising about 2.7% after the announcement.
Target pulled the Kids' Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume from its Hyde and EEK Boutique line after social media backlash accusing it of resembling Blackface; the company apologized, said it was offensive and no longer for sale, and vowed to review internal processes as it faces ongoing optics and DEI-related scrutiny alongside competitive retail pressures.
Target apologized and removed from sale a Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume after social-media backlash accusing it of evoking Blackface and minstrel imagery. The company said the costume is offensive and should never have been part of its assortment and said it is reviewing how it passed approval. The move comes amid broader optics challenges for Target, and the stock reaction showed a modest uptick in afternoon trading.
Target removed a ‘Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume’ after social media backlash claiming it resembled a racist minstrel caricature of Black people. The company apologized, said the costume should never have been sold, and pledged to review how the oversight occurred. The incident adds to ongoing DEI-related scrutiny of Target’s practices, as the retailer navigates a bumpy financial path that includes a prior stock decline and a tentative rebound.
Disney-owned ABC filed a First Amendment lawsuit in Washington, D.C., seeking to halt the FCC’s early renewal review of its broadcast licenses, arguing the probe is a retaliatory action tied to its programming and DEI practices; the FCC says the expedited renewals focus on DEI concerns and are not a First Amendment issue.
Texas Rep. Brandon Gill launches a House Oversight probe into McKinsey, accusing the firm’s DEI reports of promoting illegal race- and gender-based hiring targets and citing a White House estimate that DEI cost the U.S. economy about $94 billion in 2023; Gill questions the credibility of McKinsey’s findings, while the firm says its DEI business case remains strong.