Ford becomes the latest company to scale back its diversity and inclusion policies

By Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN

Ford is changing some of its diversity and inclusion policies, joining a growing list of companies altering their approaches amid a changing legal and political environment and online pressure from the right.

Ford CEO Jim Farley said in an email to employees Wednesday that the company has changed some of its policies in the past year. It has shifted its employee resource groups’ focus and ended participation in external culture surveys by the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group. In 2017, Ford boasted about its recognition from the organization as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ equality.

Right-wing activist Robby Starbuck posted a copy of the email on X and took credit, saying he had told the automaker he was looking into their policies. (Ford confirmed the accuracy of the email to CNN.)

“We are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs,” Farley wrote in the email. “The external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve.”

Farley said that Ford remains committed to creating an “inclusive workspace and building a team that leverages diverse perspectives, backgrounds and thinking styles.”

CNN has more details.

Harley Davidson and Tractor Supply recently made similar announcements.

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