John Deere is the latest major company to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, underscoring a broader trend among corporations. In a statement, the farm equipment manufacturer announced that it will stop participating in “social or cultural awareness parades, festivals, or events,” and will ensure its training materials don’t contain “socially motivated messages.” The company is also reaffirming its stance against diversity quotas and will no longer require employees to identify their preferred pronouns.
John Deere is not alone in this move, as there were reports earlier this week that tech giant Microsoft has disbanded its DEI team. Other companies such as Zoom, Google, and Meta have also made reductions to their DEI initiatives following their 2020 pledges.
According to CNBC, DEI-related job postings declined starkly in mid-2023, following a nearly 30% increase between 2020 and 2021. Tractor Supply Company, another farm-centered organization, has also made similar cuts, signaling a shift in corporate attitudes toward DEI initiatives. This marks an intriguing shift from the surge of corporate interest in DEI following the racial justice protests in 2020.