DEI Under Fire: The Latest From Google, Salesforce, Verizon, And More [March 2025]
DEI Under Fire is our monthly series that keeps you up-to-date on the latest DEI announcements and changes from the nation's leading companies.
This month, Reuters reported that some retailers, including Target, Amazon, and Tractor Supply, have ended their DEI initiatives in writing but are quietly maintaining select efforts, like funding LGBTQ+ Pride and anti-racism events and backing resource groups for underrepresented staff workers.
Here are some of the latest changes we think you should know about. Remember to revisit this page throughout March for updates.
Companies are listed in alphabetical order.
Adobe
As several companies scale back on their DEI efforts, Adobe has recommitted to its DEI initiatives by improving opportunities for underrepresented filmmakers and supporting LA creative communities. Additionally, it donated $1 million to wildfire-affected communities, as stated by RedShark News.
“As the presenting sponsor and official editing platform of the Sundance Film Festival, Adobe is committed to fostering diversity in the film industry,” it shared in a blog post.
Disney
Disney shareholders rejected a proposal that urged the company to remove its involvement in the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate equity index, which assesses workplaces on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer equality.
FastCompany reported that the shareholder proposal stated that Disney’s participation in divisive political issues has harmed the company’s stock price and alienated segments of the audience. It persuaded investors to support the proposal, which it says gives Disney a chance to “move back to neutral.”
Google removed language associated with DEI from its annual report. Melonie Parker, Google’s former head of diversity, stated that the company was “updating” programs that had “DEI content,” according to The Guardian.
This corresponds with an update Google Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi shared in February. In an email Q&A viewed by Business Insider, Cicconi said that Google staff will be “evaluating programs, trainings, and initiatives, and will update them as needed, including those that raise risk, or that aren’t as impactful as we’d hoped.”
JP Morgan
JPMorgan Chase & Co. will now call the initiative Diversity, Opportunity & Inclusion, or DOI, as stated by Fortune. Chief Operating Officer Jenn Piepzak said in a memo to staff Friday, March 21, “because the ‘e’ always meant equal opportunity to us, not equal outcomes, and we believe this more accurately reflects our ongoing approach to reach the most customers and clients to grow our business.”
The bank said it would continue championing engagement, cultural celebrations, education, and historical observances. However, it plans to “reduce training while maintaining a focus on high-quality offerings.”
Live Nation
Live Nation removed language associated with DEI on its website, according to The New York Times. “While the legal landscape may be evolving, our commitment to inclusivity and Taking Care of Our Own will always remain at our core,” a spokesperson for Live Nation said.
Salesforce
On Wednesday, March 5, the San Francisco-based software giant filed its annual financial disclosures, removing language explaining how some executive compensation was linked to employee diversity measures. Business Insider reported that it also excludes any language detailing diversity and inclusion as core company values, replaced with text focusing on equality.
“We value the equality of every individual at our company and in our communities and are dedicated to fostering a workplace that complies with these protections, creating an inclusive culture where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued,” the company said in its filing.
Uber
The Wall Street Journal reported that Uber Technologies shared that it’s rolling back its DEI programs, which have linked a performance-based award to targets for expanding the representation of women and minorities. “We intend to make changes to our executive compensation goals, including our DEI goals, in the weeks ahead,” an Uber spokeswoman said.
Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. has faced pushback from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for upholdings its DEI commitments. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr urged the telecom carrier to reverse its encouragement of DEI in corporate values and training materials, as stated by Bloomberg. He said he’s “pleased with the progress that different companies are making on this front” but is “concerned by the apparent lack of progress at Verizon.”
Victoria Secret
Victoria’s Secret & Co. stopped its promotion goal for Black workers and changed its language on diversity, equity and inclusion. Language associated with DEI initiatives, with text on “inclusion and belonging,” is now archived, and a section of the website on supplier diversity has also been removed, according to Business of Fashion.
Chief executive officer Hillary Super told workers in a recent memo that the company will “ensure our global team is inclusive of a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.” She also pledged “a culture of fairness and opportunity for all.”
Image: Antoinedigital
