Paramount DEI initiative changes spark employee ire

While Paramount's co-CEOs cited the president's executive order in their decision, internal backlash highlights the line employers are trying to toe.

By Caroline Colvin • March 6, 2025

BofA, Wells, Truist de-emphasize DEI in annual filings

In its paperwork, BofA now uses “opportunity” in place of diversity. Wells, meanwhile, scrapped its diverse-slate interview policy, along with mentions of its pay equity review.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 4, 2025

BlackRock ends diversity goals, merges DEI team into ‘Talent and Culture’

The nation’s largest asset manager said it will not renew “aspirational workforce representation goals” which expired in 2024, in response to executive orders targeting DEI programs.

By Lamar Johnson • March 3, 2025

Anti-ESG groups intensify activism early in 2025 proxy season

Opposition to corporate sustainability efforts has grown in recent years, culminating in an anti-ESG order by President Donald Trump last month.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 28, 2025

U.S. Bank scrubs DEI, fair pay references

Mentions of the lender’s diverse-slate hiring policy, pay comparisons by gender and race, and flexible work were absent from its most recent annual filing.

By Dan Ennis • Feb. 27, 2025

Federal judge blocks parts of Trump’s private-sector DEI order

The White House’s enforcement threat against private-sector DEI programs is “textbook viewpoint-based discrimination,” according to the Feb. 21 decision.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 27, 2025

Apple shareholders emphatically reject anti-DEI proposal

More than 97% of voting shareholders dismissed the proposal by a conservative think tank asking Apple to “cease DEI efforts” at its annual meeting.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 26, 2025

Morgan Stanley, Capital One downplay DEI efforts

A Morgan Stanley filing highlights its proportion of women and ethnically diverse employees but contains a statement on “meritocracy.” Meanwhile, Capital One isn't touting pay equity like it used to.

By Dan Ennis • Feb. 26, 2025

SEC updates guidance on ESG engagement disclosures, prompts temporary confusion

BlackRock and Vanguard, the nation’s largest asset managers, temporarily paused shareholder engagement meetings after a recent update to agency guidance.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 25, 2025

Citi tosses diversity goals, DEI label

The lender is scrapping “aspirational representation goals” and diverse job candidate requirements, as more companies abandon diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 25, 2025

Recent DEI shifts represent an ‘evolution’ of the practice: Bridge

Companies should understand the opportunities DEI programs present before assessing risk mitigation needs amid increased scrutiny, counsels DEI trade group CEO Sheryl Daija.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 24, 2025

Starbucks’ DEI policies labeled ‘discriminatory’ in Missouri AG’s lawsuit

A spokesperson for the coffee chain denied the claim and said the company’s hiring and benefits programs are “open to everyone and lawful.”

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 24, 2025

Banks back away from DEI mentions

JPMorgan Chase, Citizens and Huntington have reduced or eliminated their references to diversity, equity and inclusion amid a White House crackdown, according to the banks’ latest annual filings.

By Caitlin Mullen • Feb. 20, 2025

CSDDD is a ‘non-tariff barrier’ for US companies: House Financial Services Chair

Rep. French Hill said during a webinar that the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive will create costly barriers for U.S. corporations to do business in and engage with the bloc. 

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 19, 2025

Comcast-NBCUniversal faces FCC probe over ‘invidious’ DEI policies

The agency’s new chairman says he’s concerned the cable TV, network and theme park operator continues to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

By Justin Bachman • Feb. 18, 2025

Accenture rolls back DEI goals to comply with Trump’s EOs

CEO Julie Sweet said the company would end its employee diversity representation goals and put “a greater focus on inclusion and a sense of belonging for all,” in an internal memo.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 12, 2025

Former EEOC commissioner weighs in on feds targeting private sector DEI

Chai Feldblum said employers may consider framing their programs on inclusion and preventing discrimination, but she also expressed confusion over some of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s enforcement priorities.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 12, 2025

Google moves away from aspirational diversity hiring goals

This move is on par with what attorneys have been recommending in a tense political landscape around DEI and compliance.

By Caroline Colvin • Feb. 10, 2025

‘A clarion call’: How employers should respond to Trump’s private-sector DEI order

Beyond clearly illegal practices like using preferences and quotas, employers need to dig into their DEI programs to see where the potential for other legal challenges might lie, writes Jonathan Segal, partner at Duane Morris.

By Jonathan Segal • Feb. 7, 2025

Sephora boosts DEI with new documentary

As others back away from DEI initiatives, the retailer said its film “reaffirms its commitment to fostering a world of inspiration and inclusion.”

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 6, 2025

Companies reduce philanthropy aimed at boosting racial, gender equality

Change in “corporate citizenship” initiatives coincide with a federal backlash against efforts to promote sustainability in the private and public sectors.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 5, 2025

Vanguard dilutes diversity guidelines for US board proxy voting

The updated policies exclude a recommendation that boards “at a minimum, represent diversity of personal characteristics, inclusive of at least diversity in gender, race and ethnicity.”

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 4, 2025

Meta’s HR changes reflect widely touted aspirational approach to DEI

Eliminating hard inclusivity goals won’t protect against reverse discrimination complaints but it will help, legal specialists say.

By Robert Freedman • Feb. 4, 2025

Republican officials urge SEC, DOL to adopt anti-ESG, DEI rules

The letter signed by 22 Republican state finance officials cited American Airlines’ recent legal loss as evidence that fiduciaries are breaching their duty to loyalty with regards to ESG and DEI.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 3, 2025

Developments driving the ESG, sustainability industry in 2025

The change in U.S. presidential leadership has triggered drawbacks of ESG and DEI commitments, as the private sector braces for a change in political direction.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Jan. 31, 2025