La nueva visión de DEI en Amazon y su compromiso con la inclusión.

On December 16, 2024, Candi Castleberry, serving as Amazon’s Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology, released an internal memo sharing that the company intends to gradually discontinue and reassess certain DEI initiatives. This action includes “removing antiquated programs and resources” as a segment of Amazon’s continual strategy to tackle issues of representation and inclusion.

Castleberry clarified that in recent years, Amazon has been assessing its organization-wide programs, each crafted to tackle unique disparities. She noted that these efforts are meant to wrap up once their targeted disparities are rectified. The memo additionally highlighted a transition towards developing programs that are “accessible to everyone” instead of letting distinct groups craft their own initiatives.

Amazon targets the cessation of these “outdated” programs by the close of 2024, merging DEI efforts into the firm’s current processes for enhanced sustainability. The emphasis lies on nurturing an inclusivity culture that’s intrinsically woven into the company’s core, rather than being an additional endeavor.

This strategy coincides with a wider corporate movement among leading companies, such as Meta, McDonald’s, and Walmart, which have likewise reduced their DEI initiatives in recent years.

Moreover, Amazon has revised its “Our Positions” page, combining distinct mentions of particular groups into more general statements about equity and inclusion. For example, a section that once stated, “Inequity in the treatment of Black people is unacceptable,” has been altered to, “We believe that inequitable treatment of any individual, including Black, LGBTQ+, Asian, women, and others, is unacceptable. We support policies aimed at eliminating barriers to equity and fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.”

Additionally, Amazon has updated its “Our Positions” page, consolidating explicit mentions of specific groups into broader statements on equity and inclusion. For instance, a section that previously stated, “Inequity in the treatment of Black people is unacceptable,” has been revised to, “We believe that inequitable treatment of any individual, including Black, LGBTQ+, Asian, women, and others, is unacceptable. We advocate for policies designed to eliminate barriers to equity and create an inclusive environment for all employees.”

These updates reflect Amazon’s goal of building more inclusive and effective programs that are embedded within the company’s core processes, replacing standalone initiatives.

By Shirley H. Linnerster

You May Also Like