Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar is making changes After reviewing its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies amid growing scrutiny of such initiatives at corporations across the country.
A memo sent by Caterpillar executives to company employees, reviewed by FOX Business, outlined that DEI changes include mandating that all corporate training be focused on business operations, as well as requiring approval from senior leaders to bring in outside speakers or participate in external surveys and awards.
The change comes at a time when anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck said he was in discussions with the company about plans to “expose their awareness policies,” resulting in these retroactive changes, which he outlined in a social media post.
Caterpillar said in the memo that going forward, “all training, both formal and informal, should be focused on our business and designed to promote high performance and implementation of our enterprise strategy.”
The company explained the policy change regarding participation in external surveys and awards processes, saying most of these “require extensive company resources, including employee time.”
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“The decision to participate in the 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,” Caterpillar leaders wrote.
There will also be similar requirements for bringing in an outside speaker to speak to Caterpillar employees, as the company will now require approval from senior vice presidents who are “responsible for ensuring that speakers have been appropriately vetted and that the content is consistent with our enterprise strategy and purpose.”
Caterpillar also plans to release Released new guidelines for its employee resource groups (ERGs).
The company's website lists a variety of ERGs available to its employees who share similar life experiences or interests, including racial and ethnic backgrounds; gender identity and sexual orientation; disability; veteran status; healthy living and physical activity; as well as ERGs for younger workers and experienced professionals.
“Our ERGs exist to foster an inclusive culture through internal networking, mentoring, and growth opportunities in support of our enterprise strategy,” Caterpillar wrote. “To ensure this focus, new ERG guidelines will be distributed soon that govern external sponsorships and donations, external speakers, training, and more. All ERGs will remain open to all employees.”
Caterpillar’s move comes at a time when other major corporations have rolled back some aspects of their DEI policies amid a backlash over “woke” policies.
Ford announced last month that it would make changes to its ERG and not comment publicly on polarizing political issues, while also telling employees it does not use quotas in hiring.
Molson Coors said earlier this month that now that all employees have completed DEI training, they are ending it.
It also announced it would scrap its defined supplier diversity targets and remove “aspirational representation targets” from its executives' remuneration plans from next year.
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Both Ford and Molson Coors have ended their participation in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, an annual survey and report used to measure “policies, practices, and benefits related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) employees” compiled by the progressive Human Rights Campaign. Caterpillar stopped participating in HRC’s index last year.
Starbucks said in a post on X that it had corresponded with both companies about their DEI policies before the changes were announced.
Lowe’s, John Deere, and Tractor Supply have also taken steps to revise and roll back DEI policies in recent months.
