Apple shareholders reject anti-DEI proposal

[ResidentialBusiness]

During Apple’s annual meeting today, shareholders struck down a proposal that had targeted many of the tech giant’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, a move that indicates a continued commitment to DEI even as other major employers pull back on their own efforts.

The proposal, which was put forward by a conservative think tank called the National Center for Public Policy Research, suggested that Apple could face “litigation, reputational and financial risks” due to its DEI programs. The group also claimed that Apple could face legal claims from at least 50,000 employees (though it’s not clear where that number came from).

Apple’s board had previously urged shareholders to reject the proposal, positing that it was an overreach and “inappropriately attempts to restrict” the company’s business operations. (The National Center for Public Policy Research has already targeted diversity programs at Costco with a similar measure, which was also rejected.) Apple also noted that its DEI programs and company culture were key to its success as a business.

“At Apple, we believe that how we conduct ourselves is as critical to Apple’s success as making the best products in the world,” the board said in a proxy filing in January. “We seek to conduct business ethically, honestly, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and our Business Conduct and Compliance policies are foundational to how we do business. And we strive to create a culture of belonging where everyone can do their best work.”

During Apple’s annual meeting, a leader at the think tank noted that the company could face legal challenges from the Trump administration over its DEI efforts. (He also added that “The vibe shift is clear: DEI is out and merit is in.”) For the time being, however, Apple CEO Tim Cook has remained on good terms with Trump, even announcing a whooping $500 billion investment in manufacturing and job creation stateside.

Still, Apple’s stance on DEI is notable in this moment, as the Trump administration has set its sights on dismantling diversity efforts across both the federal government and private sector companies.

Over the last few months, a number of major employers have made changes to their DEI commitments, including some of Apple’s peers in the tech industry. Amazon has softened some of its public-facing language on diversity and claimed to be “winding down outdated programs and materials” by the end of 2024, while Google has nixed its representation goals for hiring and is currently reviewing many of its DEI initiatives. Meta, too, has cut representation goals but also went a step further and eliminated the team that focused on DEI efforts at the company.

Some of these shifts are more minor or even semantic in nature, and DEI experts have noted that many companies are making calculated changes to mitigate potential legal risks while continuing to invest in diversity work. But even so, Apple appears to stand apart from other tech giants for its continued commitment to DEI—at least for now.

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