Caterpillar, the renowned heavy machinery manufacturer, is undergoing a significant shift in its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
A move comes in the wake of increasing scrutiny of such initiatives in corporations across the nation.
According to The New York Post, the company's executives issued a memo to its employees detailing the changes. The memo, which was reviewed by FOX Business, stated that all corporate training would now be geared towards business operations. Furthermore, the company will require approval from senior leaders for engaging external speakers or participating in external surveys and awards.
The policy shift comes on the heels of discussions with anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck, who threatened to "expose their woke policies." Starbuck's threat prompted Caterpillar to make preemptive changes, which he later outlined in a social media post.
The memo from Caterpillar emphasized that, "All training, both formal and informal, must be focused on our business and designed to foster high performance and execution of our enterprise strategy." The company further elaborated on the policy change concerning participation in external surveys and award processes, highlighting that most "require extensive company resources, including employee time."
Caterpillar's leaders wrote, "The decision to participate in a survey or apply for an award must be focused on our business objectives and approved in writing by the responsible Senior Vice President, Group President and Chief Human Resources Officer." Similar requirements will be implemented for inviting external speakers, with senior vice presidents tasked with ensuring the speakers are properly vetted and their content aligns with the company's enterprise strategy and purpose.
The company is also preparing to release new guidelines for its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Caterpillar's website lists a range of ERGs for employees with shared life experiences or interests, including groups based on racial and ethnic background, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, healthy living and physical activity, and groups for younger workers and experienced professionals.
Caterpillar stated, "Our ERGs exist to foster an inclusive culture through internal networking, mentoring and development opportunities in support of our enterprise strategy." To maintain this focus, the company will soon distribute new ERG guidelines that govern external sponsorships and donations, external speakers, training, and more. The company reassured that all ERGs would remain open to all employees.
This move by Caterpillar mirrors similar actions taken by other major corporations that have scaled back aspects of their DEI policies in response to criticism over "woke" policies. Ford, for instance, announced changes to its ERGs and declared it would refrain from commenting on polarizing political issues publicly. It also reassured its workforce that it does not use quotas in hiring.
Molson Coors, another major corporation, announced it would discontinue DEI training now that all employees had completed it. The company also revealed plans to abandon its defined supplier diversity goals and remove "aspirational representation goals" from its executives' compensation plans starting next year.
Both Ford and Molson Coors, along with Caterpillar, have ceased their participation in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, an annual survey and report used to measure "policies, practices and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) employees" compiled by the progressive Human Rights Campaign.
Other companies, including Lowes, John Deere, and Tractor Supply, have also taken steps to revise and rollback DEI policies in recent months, indicating a broader trend in the corporate world. These changes reflect a growing concern about the impact of DEI policies on business operations and the need for a more focused approach to corporate training and resources.
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