Apple shareholders to consider scrapping diversity programs amid backlash

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Yahoo! Finance/AP

Mon, February 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM EST 2 min read


Apple shareholders on Tuesday are expected to reject an attempt to pressure the technology trendsetter into scrapping its corporate programs designed to diversify its workforce. The proposal drafted by the National Center for Public Policy Research — a self-described conservative think tank — urges Apple to follow a litany of high-profile companies that have retreated from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives currently in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump. It comes a month after the same group presented a similar proposal during Costco's annual meeting, only to have it overwhelmingly rejected.

A similar outcome is expected during Apple's annual meeting despite the strident objections of critics. Just as Costco does, Apple has steadfastly stood behind diversity and inclusion efforts that its management contends good business sense. But the National Center for Public Policy Research's proposal has attacked Apple's diversity commitments for being out of line with recent court rulings and said the programs expose the Cupertino, California, company to an onslaught of potential lawsuits for alleged discrimination.

The group estimated about 50,000 Apple employees could file cases against Apple without detailing how it arrived at that figure. “It’s clear that DEI poses litigation, reputational and financial risks to companies, and therefore financial risks to their shareholders, and therefore further risks to companies for not abiding by their fiduciary duties,” the National Center for Public Policy Research says in its proposal. The specter of potential legal trouble was magnified last week when Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a federal lawsuit against Target alleging the retailer's recently scaled-back DEI program alienated many consumers and undercut sales to the detriment of shareholders.

In its rebuttal to the anti-DEI proposal, Apple said its program is an integral part of a culture that has helped elevate the company to its current market value of $3.7 trillion — greater than any other business in the world. “We believe that how we conduct ourselves is as critical to Apple’s success as making the best products in the world,” the company said in its statement against the proposal. “We seek to conduct business ethically, honestly, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.”

Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-shareholders-consider-scrapping-diversity-004850912.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. OK, let's say Apple votes to scrap DEI policies.

And an employment opportunity opens up. And after several interviews, an African-American woman is selected. Does that mean that Apple is potentially facing a lawsuit that she was hired as a de facto DEI because a white male, perhaps equally qualified, wasn't hired?

[travelingthrulife]

2. The longer they mess around with DEI the worse it will get for these 'go-along'

companies until they admit loudly that there is nothing wrong with DEI.

[Lulu KC]

3. I'm holding on to the opening sentence

"Apple shareholders on Tuesday are expected to reject an attempt to pressure the technology trendsetter into scrapping its corporate programs designed to diversify its workforce."

Come on, Apple, do the right thing this time.

[City Lights]

4. FWIW, the board of directors has recommended that shareholders reject

the proposal to scrap DEI policies.

[Unwind Your Mind]

5. I voted my shares last week

It seems evident to me that it’s also the right business move, ie Costco v Target

[NotHardly]

6. F*cking cowards & lying sacks of sh*t

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. Who? NT

[Zorro]

8. Tim Cook

Apple's gay CEO must have been selected for that position based on DEI policies, right?

[tonekat]

9. It sure wasn't for any sense of innovation. N/T

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. Apple shareholders rejected a proposal to scrap the company's DEI programs.

Link to tweet