McDonald's Reforms Corporate Policy: New Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion

McDonald's has announced that it will postpone its goals for promoting diversity in corporate leadership and revise some practices in this area. This decision is set against the backdrop of a changing legal landscape in the United States, as outlined in an open letter to employees and franchisees. This realignment follows a trend where other U.S. companies are also scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to pressure from conservative activists. Despite these developments, McDonald's emphasized that the company remains committed to inclusion and intends to embed relevant practices into its operational processes. A milestone has already been achieved, as 30% of executives in the U.S. come from "underrepresented groups" - the original goal was 35% by the end of 2025. In another move, McDonald's will remove the previous requirement for its suppliers to commit to DEI. The company's diversity department will henceforth operate under the name "Global Inclusion Team." Additionally, McDonald's is pausing its participation in external surveys conducted by groups like the Human Rights Campaign that measure workplace inclusion. This announcement comes shortly after conservative activist Robby Starbuck informed McDonald's of his plans to report on its DEI initiatives. Starbuck's influence is significant; companies such as Tractor Supply, John Deere, and Walmart have already reconsidered their DEI practices following his criticism. Efforts to enhance diversity in the corporate world gained significance after the protests against police violence in 2020. However, recent setbacks suggest that the growing pressure from conservative groups, fueled by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in June 2023, is having an impact.