Ford Scales Back DEI Programs Amid Backlash

Ford Motor Co. has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, including ending its participation in external culture surveys such as the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. CEO Jim Farley communicated that the company seeks to focus more on customer and employee care and less on engaging in polarizing public debates, amidst evolving legal and political landscapes. This move aligns Ford with other corporations such as Harley-Davidson, Lowe's, and Tractor Supply, which have also scaled back their DEI initiatives under pressure from conservative activists. Farley emphasized that Ford is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace but will not use quotas for diversity goals or tie compensation to these metrics. The Human Rights Campaign criticized Ford's decision, suggesting it could have long-term negative consequences. Conservative activist Robby Starbuck claimed influence over these policy changes, reflecting a broader trend of corporate reassessments of DEI programs following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.