The multinational fast-food chain is the latest company to shift its tactics in the wake of a 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action and a conservative backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Walmart, John Deere, and other corporations have also rolled back their DEI initiatives.
"I'm lovin' it," activist Robby Starbuck responded in a social media video (view below). "I'm loving changing these crazy policies."
McDonald's will reportedly retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels and end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training. The company's diversity team will also be renamed the Global Inclusion Team.
Starbuck calls the addition of those unneeded teams in a place of business that is supposed to be a workplace of adults "ridiculous."
"Be kind. Do the right thing. Be fair, and if you're a company executive, lay down the hammer when somebody breaks the law," Starbuck insists. "Everybody's all for that. But there's no need for a DEI team at all. I don't care what you call it."
He thinks people have had enough of this and encourages everyone to speak up and "get rid of this infantile way of operating businesses."
"Focus on the bottom line, make money, do a great job; everybody's happy then, and that is the direction corporate America is veering toward: corporate neutrality," the filmmaker noted in his video. "We are the trend now. Because we have raised our voices, so many companies have changed their policies, and we will not stop until we make corporate America sane again."
In an open letter to employees and franchisees, McDonald's senior leadership team said it remains committed to inclusion and believes a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage. The company said 30% of its U.S. leaders are members of underrepresented groups, up from 29% in 2021. McDonald's previously committed to reaching 35% by the end of this year.
