Public statements or reports from McDonald's or survey organizations

McDonald's Rolls Back Diversity Initiatives Following 2023 Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action

Jan 6, 2025, 09:35 PM

McDonald's Corp. is rolling back some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, becoming the latest major corporation to adjust its approach amid a shifting legal landscape and conservative backlash. The fast-food giant has decided to retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels and will end a program that encouraged its suppliers to develop diversity training and increase minority representation in their leadership ranks, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2023 that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions. Additionally, McDonald's will pause participation in external surveys, such as those conducted by the Human Rights Campaign, which assess workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. The company's decision follows similar moves by other corporations like Walmart, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson. Despite these changes, McDonald's remains committed to inclusion, with 30% of its U.S. leaders from underrepresented groups and having achieved gender pay equity at all levels since setting that goal in 2021. The company will continue to support efforts to maintain a diverse base of employees, suppliers, and franchisees, and will rebrand its diversity team as a 'global inclusion team.'