Verizon Communications on Friday said that it’s ending its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs amid a probe by the Trump administration into those practices, as the telecom giant seeks federal approval for an acquisition.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr criticized Verizon in February for its promotion of DEI programs, saying it could factor into the review of Verizon’s planned acquisition of Frontier Communications for $20 billion.
Verizon said in a letter to Carr that was reviewed by Reuters that it’s removing its “Diversity and Inclusion” website and removing references to DEI in employee training programs – as well as making changes to its hiring, career development, supplier diversity and corporate sponsorship practices.
The company plans to end workforce diversity goals and will also drop a component of its management compensation plan that included a goal to boost the representation of women and minorities in Verizon’s U.S. workforce.
“Verizon recognizes that some DEI policies and practices could be associated with discrimination,” Verizon Chief Legal Officer Vandana Venkatesh said in the letter, adding that the changes would immediately take effect.
Carr posted the letter on social media and said that Verizon’s moves are a “good step forward for equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and the public interest.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
Read the full article here
