Apple pushes back on call to complete diversity programme

Apple’s board has asked its investors to vote against a proposal to complete its Diversity, ownership, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes.

It comes after a conservative throng, the National Center for community Policy Research (NCPPR), called on the technology giant to abolish its DEI policies, saying they expose firms to “litigation, reputational and monetary risks”.

Apple’s directors declare the NCPPR’s proposal is unnecessary because the corporation has appropriate checks and balances in place.

Other major US firms, including Meta and Amazon, have rolled back DEI programmes ahead of the profit to the White House this month of Donald Trump, who has been highly critical of DEI policies.

“The proposal is unnecessary as Apple already has a well-established lawful operation program,” the firm’s filing to investors said.

Apple’s board also said the DEI rollback schedule “inappropriately seeks to micromanage the corporation’s programs and policies by suggesting a specific means of legal lawful operation.”

NCPPR’s proposal is set to be put to a vote by shareholders at Apple’s annual general conference on 25 February.

Conservative groups have threatened to receive legal action against major companies over their DEI programmes, saying such policies are at odds with a Supreme Court selection in 2023 against affirmative action at universities.

Last week, Facebook owner Meta became the latest US corporation to roll back its DEI initiatives, joining a growing list of major firms that includes Amazon, Walmart and McDonald’s.

In a memo to staff about the selection – which affects, hiring, supplier and training efforts – Meta cited a “shifting legal and policy landscape”.

It also referred to the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling.

Meta’s boss, Mark Zuckerberg, has been moving to reconcile with Trump since his election in November.

The firm has donated $1m (£820,000) to the President-elect’s inauguration pool, hired a Republican as his community affairs chief and announced it is getting rid of truth-checkers on Meta’s social media platforms.

Mr Zuckerberg is not alone among top executives making such moves in the face of mounting pressure from conservative groups.