Lowe's has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, following a review initiated after the Supreme Court's July 2023 decision on affirmative action. Per an internal memo, the company will now merge its resource groups into one organization and will cease participating in the Human Rights Campaign's workplace inclusion survey for LGBTQ+ employees. It will also stop sponsoring and joining events like festivals and parades that fall outside its industry. These adjustments aim to ensure Lowe's policies are "lawful" and sync with its commitment to "include everyone," per the memo.
Conservative political commentator Robby Starbuck claimed credit for influencing these changes, saying he gave an exec a heads up last week about his plans to "expose" Lowe's over its DEI policies and Pride funding. Lowe's spokesperson Steve Salazar rejected this, stating the changes had been in process long before Starbuck's outreach. The modifications were discussed in an August 21 meeting, and Salazar emphasized that the timing of the announcement was purely coincidental.
Despite conservative support, DEI advocates criticize such shifts, labeling them as responses to a small yet vocal group. Jen Stark from the Center for Business and Social Justice argued that reversing DEI policies hinders progress in creating barrier-free workplace environments. Orlando Gonzales from the Human Rights Campaign added that these actions are "shortsighted" and detrimental to maintaining inclusive workplaces, potentially harming companies' bottom lines by alienating LGBTQ+ and other diverse customers. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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