Apple shareholders have voted against a proposal that would have pressured the company to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, The Associated Press reports.
The proposal, put forth by the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, urged Apple to follow other companies that have scaled back DEI programs amid scrutiny from the Trump administration.
Following a brief presentation of the proposal, Apple announced its rejection without disclosing the vote tally. Detailed results will be released in a regulatory filing later.
The outcome supports Apple management’s decision to maintain its commitment to diversity, despite the Trump administration’s inquiry into whether DEI programs discriminate against employees whose race or gender do not align with the initiatives’ goals.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has maintained a working relationship with President Trump, which has reportedly helped the company avoid tariffs on iPhones manufactured in China. Following a recent meeting between Cook and Trump, Apple announced a $500 billion investment in the US and the creation of 20,000 new jobs over the next five years, a move praised by the President.
This shareholder vote follows a similar proposal presented by the same group at Costco’s annual meeting last month, which was overwhelmingly rejected.
Apple maintains that fostering a diverse workforce is beneficial for business.
Cook acknowledged that Apple may need to adjust its diversity program “as the legal landscape changes,” while striving to maintain a culture that has contributed to the company’s $3.7 trillion market value.
Apple’s 2022 diversity and inclusion report revealed that nearly three-fourths of its global workforce are white and Asian employees, and nearly two-thirds are men.
For years, major technology companies have reported employing predominantly white and Asian men, particularly in higher-paying engineering roles, leading to industry-wide, albeit largely unsuccessful, efforts to diversify.
