**Salesforce Joins Tech Giants in Scaling Back DEI Initiatives** **Key Events:** Salesforce, a prominent software company based in San Francisco, has announced the removal of explicit diversity hiring targets from its most recent annual financial disclosures. This decision follows a trend among major tech companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, and Walmart, which have also scaled back or discontinued their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The shift in strategy is partly attributed to the executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in January, aimed at dismantling DEI programs within the federal government and its contractors. **People and Companies Involved:** - **Marc Benioff:** CEO and cofounder of Salesforce, known for his strong support of LGBTQ+ rights. - **Salesforce:** A leading customer relationship management (CRM) software company. - **Amazon, Google, Meta, Walmart, Deloitte, and KPMG:** Other major corporations that have recently scaled back their DEI initiatives. **Location and Time Elements:** - **San Francisco, California:** Headquarters of Salesforce. - **January 2025:** Executive orders issued by President Trump. - **March 2025:** Salesforce's announcement in its annual financial disclosures. **Summary:** Salesforce, a leading tech firm, has joined the ranks of major companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Walmart in scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The company's most recent annual financial disclosures, filed on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, no longer include specific diversity hiring targets that were previously linked to executive compensation. Additionally, the disclosures have omitted explicit references to diversity and inclusion as core company values, focusing instead on equality. In a statement to Bloomberg, a Salesforce spokesperson clarified that while the company is not specifying representation goals, it remains committed to its core value of equality. The spokesperson emphasized that Salesforce's commitment to equality is "firmly rooted in compliance with federal law and other applicable laws and regulations in the regions in which we operate." The company's filings state, "We value the equality of every individual at our company and in our communities and are dedicated to fostering a workplace that complies with these protections, creating an inclusive culture where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued." Salesforce's CEO, Marc Benioff, has a history of advocating for LGBTQ+ employees. In an interview with Axios last month, Benioff pledged, "If someone is going to come after our employees and discriminate against them in any way, we will do everything we can to help them." Despite this strong stance, the company's recent move reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are reassessing their DEI programs in response to the changing political and legal landscape. In December 2024, Amazon informed its employees that it was "winding down outdated programs and materials" related to diversity and inclusion. The company also removed prior references to diversity and inclusion from its 2024 annual report, released in February 2025. Similarly, Google has removed hiring goals explicitly linked to diversity representation, and Meta has shut down its DEI team and training programs. A leaked internal memo from Meta specifically cited the "shifting political and legal landscape around DEI policies" as a reason for the changes. Business Insider has reported that since mid-2024, more than 20 major companies in the US have rolled back DEI initiatives. This trend is particularly notable in the tech sector, where companies have historically been at the forefront of promoting diversity and inclusion. The rollback is seen as a response to the increasing backlash against DEI programs, driven in part by executive actions and a growing political movement that views such initiatives as overreach or "woke capitalism." While Salesforce and other companies maintain a commitment to equality and compliance with legal protections, the removal of specific diversity targets and the scaling back of DEI programs signal a shift in corporate priorities. Critics argue that these moves could undermine efforts to create more inclusive workplaces, while supporters contend that a focus on equality and legal compliance is a more sustainable approach. Salesforce representatives did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for further comment on the changes. However, the company's filings and public statements suggest a strategic realignment to navigate the current environment while maintaining its values of equality and inclusivity. This development highlights the ongoing tension between corporate social responsibility and the political pressures facing major tech firms. As the debate over DEI programs continues, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the tech industry's diversity landscape and the broader corporate commitment to social equity.