Apple asks investors to block proposal to scrap diversity programmes
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Apple Board Defends Company's DEI Programs
Above: The central Apple store in Hong Kong. Image copyright: Bob Henry/Contributor/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The Spin
Progressive narrative
The Apple board is right. The proposal to eliminate Apple's DEI policies is based on many falsities, including the idea that DEI leads to hiring unqualified applicants. On the contrary, Apple hires the best candidates, but from a larger candidate pool. There is plenty of data also disproving the notion that DEI policies negatively impact profits.
Conservative narrative
The shareholders should ignore Apple's board. But the board should face the reality that it's operating in the same legal and policy landscape as its competitors. DEI is detrimental to the company's culture and bottom line, and the Supreme Court affirmative action ruling will eventually open up all companies to costly litigation.