Toyota Scraps DEI And Pro-LGBTQ Policies: Here’s Why

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to discontinue its support for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and pro-LGBTQ events following an online backlash, according to a new report. The action was taken in response to activist Robby Starbucks’ criticism of the business for engaging in what he called “woke” efforts. These included forming Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) based on race and gender orientation, sponsoring a drag queen program at a children’s summer camp, and supporting groups that opposed laws prohibiting gender transition therapies for minors.

Toyota said that it will “narrow community activities to align with STEM education and workforce readiness” and that it will no longer be a part of the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index in a message distributed to U.S. workers. The business reaffirmed its dedication to creating an inclusive atmosphere, but also stated that it will put more of its attention into initiatives that improve productivity, such team member engagement, professional development, and mentorship.

Starbucks applauded Toyota’s move, referring to it as a move in the direction of corporate neutrality. He read excerpts from the message, which stressed keeping an eye on the overarching objectives of the organization and coordinating company activities with its basic principles. The document states that Toyota’s leadership does not want to become involved in contentious or politically hot matters and instead wants to give priority to initiatives that directly support workforce development and preparedness.

According to a spokeswoman for Toyota who talked with Bloomberg, the impact of Starbucks’ criticism was minimized. A few hundred internal inquiries, a handful of dealer inquiries, and perhaps thirty customer calls were received by the company; all of these were said to have minimal impact on business operations.

With this move, Toyota joins other large corporations such as Ford Motor Company, which has also moved away from DEI regulations. Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, declared in August that the corporation would not address divisive social topics and that employee resource groups (ERGs) would be available to all staff members. Ford made it clear that it will concentrate on business results and that it did not utilize quotas in its recruiting procedures.

Other firms, like Lowe’s, Molson Coors, and John Deere, have also cut back their engagement in DEI activities in reaction to rising internet campaigns against them.

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