After four years of promoting diversity, McDonald’s is scaling back some diversity initiatives following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed affirmative action unconstitutional in college admissions. The fast-food giant joins other companies like Walmart and Harley-Davidson in reassessing their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices due to increasing conservative backlash. McDonald’s will discontinue specific diversity goals for senior leadership, end a program encouraging supplier diversity training, and pause participation in external surveys measuring workplace inclusion, including those for LGBTQ+ employees. Despite these changes, McDonald’s remains committed to inclusion, asserting that a diverse workforce offers competitive advantages. Currently, 30% of its U.S. leadership is from underrepresented groups, a slight increase from previous years, and the company has achieved gender pay equity across all levels. McDonald’s aims for 25% of its total supplier spending to go to diverse-owned businesses by year’s end and will continue to track and report its demographic data. The company’s diversity team will be rebranded as the Global Inclusion Team, reflecting a shift in focus while maintaining an emphasis on a diverse workforce and supplier base.
