McDonald's rolls back some of its diversity practices

NEW YORK

McDonald's will roll back some of its diversity practices, becoming the latest U.S. organization to rethink its policies following a Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in university admissions.

The fast-food giant's announced changes include no longer asking suppliers to commit to certain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) targets, withdrawing from external surveys that gauge corporate diversity, and changing the name of its diversity committee.

"We are retiring Supply Chain's Mutual Commitment to DEI pledge in favor of a more integrated discussion with suppliers about inclusion as it relates to business performance," the fast-food giant said in a statement.

It also announced an end to "setting aspirational representation goals and instead keeping our focus on continuing to embed inclusion practices that grow our business into our everyday process and operations."

In June 2023, the conservative-majority Supreme Court put an end to affirmative action in university admissions, reversing one of the major gains of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

Since then, businesses and institutions have been rethinking programs to bolster minority groups as support for progressive policies has eroded.

DEI policies now face increasing attack in US corporate and government spheres, with backers of the initiatives -- which seek to correct bias in US workplaces -- on the defense even more after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.

McDonald's announcement comes in the wake of similar moves by a string of prestige brands -- from Ford, John Deere and Lowe's to Harley-Davidson and Jack Daniel's -- reflecting a backlash against so-called political correctness in American public life.