Apple board opposes proposal to abolish DEI programs

Apple’s board of directors has come out in opposition to a proposal seeking to end the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. 

In a proxy filing, the company said the National Center for Public Policy Research (a conservative think tank) is submitting a proposal for Apple to “consider abolishing its Inclusion & Diversity program, policies, department and goals.”

The think tank’s proposal claims that DEI programs could make companies vulnerable to lawsuits, citing the recent Supreme Court ruling against race-based affirmative action in colleges and noting that other companies have eliminated or scaled back similar programs. (Most recently, Meta eliminated its DEI programs, and Amazon is reportedly pulling back as well.)

Apple, however, said the proposal is “unnecessary” because the company “already has a well-established compliance program” that would presumably keep it out of legal trouble. The filing also criticizes the proposal because it “inappropriately seeks to micromanage the Company’s programs and policies.”

The company also said it strives “to create a culture of belonging where everyone can do their best work.”