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In a recent development, Institutional Shareholder Services, an influential proxy advisory firm, recommended Apple investors to oppose a proposal aiming to review the tech giant's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. ISS highlighted that Apple's disclosures provide thorough information on its DEI strategies and noted the absence of any discrimination controversies within the employee groups.

The Apple board advocates for rejecting the proposal against the DEI policies, stating the presence of a compliance program and emphasizing the proposal's interference with management of business operations, personnel, and strategy.

Apple, set to convene its annual meeting on February 25, has not yet responded to Reuters' comment request. Notably, major U.S. companies like Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon have previously adjusted or abandoned their DEI objectives amid increasing resistance from conservative quarters, both during and after Donald Trump's presidency.

Encouraged by a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions, conservative organizations have openly criticized DEI initiatives and issued legal threats against companies implementing them.

The proposal challenging Apple's diversity policies originates from the National Center for Public Policy Research, labeling itself as a pro-free-market think tank. This organization had also submitted a request to Costco Wholesale to report on the risks associated with continuing its diversity and inclusion efforts, a proposal that Costco's shareholders dismissed during a January meeting.

Recent shareholder resolutions across U.S. corporations that aimed to oppose DEI programs and other social responsibilities saw limited average support, with less than 2% backing recorded last year.