Less Than 1% Of Levi’s Shareholders Voted To End DEI Programs

Levi’s shareholders voted against a proposal that asked the company to end its DEI efforts. The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, submitted a proposal to shareholders urging the company to “consider abolishing its DEI program, policies, department and goals,” according to WWD.

Numerous companies, retailers, and even universities have called back on their DEI efforts to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. In January, Trump revoked a six-decade-old executive order that prohibited workplace discrimination by federal contractors.

Levi’s maintains its DEI efforts

A company spokesman shared that less than 1% of shareholders voted in favor of the proposal. WWD reported that Levi’s board urged shareholders to vote against the proposal. “We believe in the strong business case for a diverse and inclusive workforce,” they said.

Stefan Padfield, executive director of the National Center’s Free Enterprise Project, argued his case during the meeting, stating that DEI programs risk illegal discrimination.

“Imagine what corporations could accomplish if they stop dividing us on the basis of race and sex and instead focused on raising the floor for all Americans in areas such as education, which are at the root of the pipeline problems driving our demographic inequalities,” he said.

But Padfield realised that he could not sway shareholders at Levi’s and anticipated the loss by addressing what he called a “deceptive narrative…that low vote counts for proposals such as this one means shareholders legitimately support DEI.”

Companies maintaining their DEI efforts

Although many companies are ending their DEI initiatives, some are still maintaining their DEI efforts. Adobe recently shared its commitment to its DEI initiatives by enhancing opportunities for underrepresented filmmakers and supporting the LA creative community.

Verizon Communications Inc. faced pushback from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for upholding its DEI commitments. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said he’s “pleased with the progress that different companies are making on this front,” but is “concerned by the apparent lack of progress at Verizon.”

Costo is another company standing firm on its DEI commitments, stating that its DEI efforts are fundamental to its business growth and operational success. 

Image: Mike Kemp