McDonald’s Revises Diversity Goals Amid Legal and Political Shifts
McDonald’s has announced changes to its diversity initiatives, citing the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended affirmative action in college admissions. This decision has influenced several corporations, including Walmart and Harley-Davidson, to reassess their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The fast-food giant will no longer set specific diversity targets for senior leadership and plans to end a supplier program aimed at promoting diversity training and leadership representation. Additionally, McDonald’s will pause participation in external surveys, such as the Human Rights Campaign’s workplace inclusion assessment for LGBTQ+ employees.
Diversity Initiatives Launched After Legal Challenges
McDonald’s introduced its diversity initiatives in 2021 following lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and discrimination by Black former franchise owners. At the time, CEO Chris Kempczinski emphasized the company’s commitment to measurable progress, inclusion, and diverse decision-making. However, recent legal and political changes have prompted McDonald’s to reevaluate its approach.
Inclusion Remains a Priority, Says Leadership
In an open letter, McDonald’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion, highlighting that 30% of its U.S. leaders are from underrepresented groups—a slight increase from 2021. While the company had aimed to reach 35% by the end of 2024, it has met other goals, including achieving gender pay equity and directing 25% of supplier spending to diverse-owned businesses by the end of this year.
Global Inclusion Team to Lead Efforts
Moving forward, McDonald’s diversity efforts will be led by its newly named Global Inclusion Team. The company will continue to support a diverse workforce, suppliers, and franchisees, as well as report demographic data. Despite rolling back certain initiatives, McDonald’s maintains that a diverse workforce is a strategic advantage in its global operations.
