Close on the heels of Google announcing an end to diversity hiring, Accenture too has decided to stop chasing diversity and inclusion (D&I) goals. Interestingly, as part of its commitment to diversity, in 2017, Accenture had declared that it would achieve a gender-balanced workforce, with 50 per cent women and 50 per cent men, by 2025.
Just two months into the year 2025 the company says it will gradually eliminate all its global D&I goals that were set about eight years ago. Back then, the company had 1,50,000 women, which was nearly 40 per cent of its global workforce.
Clearly things are now taking a drastic turn. In line with the shifting political mood, the company has decided to re-examine its policies and withdraw all the career-development programmes that were meant to support specific population groups. The company will not participate in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) benchmarking surveys anymore either, as it looks to revamp its talent strategy.
It is reported that Julie Sweet, CEO, Accenture, has sent an internal memo mentioning the move to scrap the DEI goals in compliance with US President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders to the federal government and the private sector to this effect.
Accenture is just one of the many corporate houses that have done away with their DEI goals. Not surprising since it has been made known that the Justice Department would identify establishments that are illegally pursuing DEI programmes and take necessary action against them.
