Ford takes a step back on Lgbtq+ inclusion policies

First women and now gays. The squeeze on diversity investments continues and if the first wave was about gender equality, this second wave has targeted Lgbtq+ rights. The companies, which have decided to exit equality initiatives, are still the same. Four or five names close to the political area of the Republican candidate for the White House, Donald Trump.

The latest announcement was that Ford has decided to distance itself from the Human Rights Campaign organisation. The car company thus joins the small group of companies that are campaigning for the cancellation of diversity & inclusion policies, such as Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, Brown-Forman, Jack Daniel's and Molson Coors. Several have admitted to backing off from collaborations with the organisation after being attacked by social media activist Robby Starbuck.

Among Starbuck's other workhorses is the attack on the Human Rights Campaign and in particular its ranking on equality. But it is coupled with outbursts against companies that are committed to gender equality. The activist's argument is that the composition of companies' workforce should represent the composition (by gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and so on) of their customers. Consequently, companies that are more 'masculine' in the imagination are particularly targeted.

Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, recently stated in a staff memo that the automaker has been "a pioneer in providing opportunities to people around the world, of all races, genders and backgrounds". He also wrote that Ford had reviewed its policies, taking into account a 'changing external and legal environment related to political and social issues'.

The company, however, has now decided to stop supporting all surveys that classify workplaces, including those for veterans, people with disabilities and other groups, because of the time and effort required, a spokesperson explained.