Harley-Davidson ends DEI policies amid conservative pressure campaign

HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS ANNOUNCED THE END OF ITS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAM –

BECOMING THE LATEST COMPANY TO HIT THE BRAKES ON DEI HIRING PRACTICES.

IN A STATEMENT POSTED ON X –

HARLEY DAVIDSON SAYS “WE SEE IT AS EVERY LEADER’S ROLE TO ENSURE WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE BASE THAT REFLECTS OUR CUSTOMERS AND THE GEOGRAPHIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE. IT IS CRITICAL TO OUR BUSINESS THAT WE HIRE AND RETAIN THE BEST TALENT AND THAT ALL EMPLOYEES FEEL WELCOME.”

THE MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER GOES ON – EXPLAINING THE COMPANY STOPPED USING DEI IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. 

THERE’S NO MORE “HIRING QUOTAS” OR “SUPPLIER DIVERSITY SPEND GOALS” – MEANING A DIRECTIVE TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ACROSS BUSINESSES OPERATED BY PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS. 

DEI PROGRAMS HAVE RECENTLY FACED A WAVE OF CRITICISM FROM CONSERVATIVES. SENATOR JD VANCE, THE REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, HAS BEEN VOCAL AGAINST THESE INITIATIVES. VANCE HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE FEDERAL DEI PROGRAMS, CALLING THEM A “DESTRUCTIVE IDEOLOGY THAT BREEDS HATRED AND RACIAL DIVISION.”

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS NOT ALONE IN THIS SHIFT. 

JOHN DEERE AND TRACTOR SUPPLY ALSO IN RECENT MONTHS ANNOUNCED IT WOULD SCRATCH DIVERSITY PROGRAMS AFTER AN ONLINE CONSERVATIVE CAMPAIGN CALLED ON THEM TO END DEI.

CONSERVATIVES ON X TURNED ITS ATTENTION TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN JULY.

THE PERSON SPEARHEADING THE MOVEMENT – POLITICAL COMMENTATOR ROBBY STARBUCK –

WHO CALLED HARLEY-DAVIDSON’S RETRACTION ON DEI “ANOTHER WIN FOR OUR MOVEMENT.”

AS COMPANIES CONTINUE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THESE DECISIONS, THE DEBATE OVER DEI PROGRAMS CONTINUES TO BE A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE IN BOTH CORPORATE AND POLITICAL SPHERES.

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