Costco's board of directors rejects anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, saying the company stands for “respect and inclusion” as efforts underway nationwide to stop the practice. Ta.
The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, has sent proposals to several companies, including Costco, arguing that the organization should conduct assessments of the risks posed by DEI efforts.
Costco's board of directors voted unanimously to ask shareholders to vote down the motion. The company's annual general meeting will be held on Thursday, where it is expected to vote on the issue. Associated Press reported.
The board said it was committed to “respect and inclusion” and called the issues “appropriate and necessary.”
“The report requested in this proposal would not provide meaningful additional information,” the board said, according to the Associated Press.
The Hill has reached out to Costco for more information on the shareholder vote, and directors will explain to investors how diversity within the company fosters creativity and innovation in products and services. That was expected.
“I think people generally have confidence in Costco's management and there's an attitude of, 'Why rock the boat?'” director Neil Saunders told The Associated Press.
The vote comes as some companies are scaling back their DEI efforts.
Shortly after taking office, President Trump moved to end DEI efforts in the federal government. All federal DEI employees were placed on leave within days of the executive order, and federal agencies are now required to follow a report on the steps they have taken to change their DEI programs.
The Associated Press contributed.
