Molson Coors, the well-known producer of Coors Light and Miller Lite, has publicly announced a major rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
This development was shared in an internal letter to employees that was later exposed by conservative activist Robby Starbuck, signaling a significant shift in the company’s policy direction.
Activist Influence on Corporate Policy
Robby Starbuck revealed his interaction with Molson Coors on social media.
He said, “Last week I messaged executives from @CoorsLight @MolsonCoors to let them know that I planned to expose their woke policies. Today they’re preemptively making changes,” indicating his role in influencing the company’s decision to alter its DEI strategies.
Changes in Executive Compensation and Supplier Diversity Goals
Molson Coors communicated to Fox Business that it would be eliminating DEI training and diversity goals for suppliers.
Furthermore, the company is adjusting its compensation strategy for executives, now tying pay solely to business performance rather than to “aspirational representation goals.”
Withdrawal from LGBTQ Equality Index
The company has also decided to discontinue its participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ employees.
This decision marks a step back from the company’s previous commitments to specific DEI benchmarks and community evaluations.
Ceasing Donations to Certain Events
Molson Coors is ending its financial support for what it now considers “divisive events,” as part of its revised policy approach.
This was highlighted by Starbuck in his public communications about the company’s changes.
Broader Trend of DEI Rollbacks in Major Companies
Molson Coors is part of a larger trend where major companies, including Jack Daniel’s, Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, and John Deere, are reversing their DEI policies.
This comes amid growing pressure and scrutiny from conservative consumers and activists who oppose what they term as “woke” policies.
Starbuck’s Claim on Effectiveness of Campaigns
Starbuck has claimed credit for these shifts.
He said, “Our campaigns are so effective that we’re getting multi-billion dollar organizations to change their policies without me even posting just from the fear they have of being the next company that we expose.”
Claiming a Shift Towards ‘Sanity and Neutrality’
Starbuck further commented on the broader impact of these campaigns on corporate America.
He wrote, “The landscape of corporate America is quickly shifting to sanity and neutrality. We are now the trend, not the anomaly. We are winning and one by one we WILL bring sanity back to corporate America.”
Lowe’s Also Makes Policy Changes
Following similar backlash, Lowe’s has also announced it will cease its support for Pride events and other DEI initiatives.
This move is part of a larger shift by the company to focus on community and business-related activities rather than social advocacy.
Future Changes at Lowe’s Discussed
In discussing potential future policy adjustments, Starbuck mentioned, “Lowe’s says there could be other future changes, and there should be. They should eliminate their DEI team in total.”
This reveals ongoing discussions and potential further rollbacks within the company.
Proactive Changes in Response to Conservative Pressure
Lowe’s decision to make preemptive changes came after Starbuck indicated his plans to target the company over its DEI policies.
This proactive response highlights how companies are increasingly responding to potential external pressures and criticisms by adapting their policies in advance.
Nationwide Reevaluation of DEI Strategies
The decision by Lowe’s, a company with nearly 300,000 employees, to reevaluate its DEI strategies mirrors a national trend where many companies are stepping back from these policies.
This broader reassessment follows several high-profile cases and societal debates that have prompted companies to reconsider their approaches to diversity and inclusion.
