The board of directors of Apple recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs (Of) the company after the National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank, has proposed to abolish them. This is reported by the American media. This is a move that goes against the trend of other tech giants – from Amazon a Meta – which instead have get rid of their diversity policies a few days after the return of Donald Trump at the White House.
“The proposal inappropriately seeks to limit Apple’s ability to manage its ordinary business operations, people, teams and strategies,” the board said in a statement, which stressed that the company “is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring, training or promotion.” The proposal will be put to a vote by shareholders at Apple’s annual general meeting on February 25.
According to the group that brought forward the abolition proposal, diversity hiring programs expose companies to potential legal action, following a Supreme Court decision against affirmative action at universities. However, the board of directors pushed back and rejected this argument, noting that Apple has a “well-established” program to ensure compliance with the law.
In the meantime it has emerged that the remuneration of Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, in 2024 it increased by 18% compared to the previous year, coming close to touching the 75 million dollars, of which $58,1 million in equity awards, $12 million in compensation from non-equity incentive plans and the remainder from other compensation. In 2022, it had been $99 million.