Amazon has quietly removed references to “inclusion and diversity” from its latest annual report, signalling a shift in its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The change follows a December memo to employees outlining plans to phase out such programmes as part of a wider corporate trend in the United States.
In recent years, major US corporations have been scaling back diversity initiatives, having initially embraced them in response to nationwide protests against racial injustice following the 2020 killing of George Floyd.
The rollback comes amid increasing political scrutiny. Former US President Donald Trump and his allies have targeted DEI policies in both the public and private sectors. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi stated last week that the Justice Department would investigate and penalise illegal diversity programmes in businesses.
For the past two years, Amazon’s annual report included a commitment to “investment and innovation, inclusion and diversity, safety, and engagement” as part of its ambition to be “Earth’s best employer.” However, in its 2024 filing, that reference has been removed. The company has also eliminated language regarding its goal to “promote equity” in employee hiring and development.
Despite these changes, Amazon maintains on its website that it is “committed to creating a diverse and inclusive company.” In December, Amazon executive Candi Castleberry told employees the company was “winding down outdated programmes and materials” related to DEI, with plans to integrate diversity efforts into “existing processes” rather than maintaining separate initiatives.
Amazon has not commented on whether it will rename or eliminate DEI-specific job roles.
The e-commerce giant is not alone in scaling back diversity initiatives. Other major technology firms, including Meta and Google, have similarly reduced DEI programmes amid legal threats from conservative groups.
Entertainment giant Disney also altered its approach, removing references to its “Reimagine Tomorrow” diversity initiative from its 2024 annual report while adding a commitment to hiring US military veterans.
Meanwhile, attorneys general from 12 states, including New York, California, and Washington, issued a joint statement last week rejecting Trump’s stance on DEI, vowing to uphold civil rights protections and prevent workplace discrimination.
