Boeing Abandons Diversity Division, Adopts Merit-Based System

Boeing Joins Other Corporations in Revising DEI Policies

According to Bloomberg, Boeing is the most recent large corporation to retreat from its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to increasing demands for performance and social awareness. Robby Starbuck, an anti-DEI activist who has previously persuaded Toyota and Harley-Davidson to reduce their DEI efforts, stated that he had contacted Boeing's Ortberg and board chair Steve Mollenkopf earlier this month to warn them of a potential online campaign against their diversity programs.

Boeing's New Approach: A Merit-Based System

Bloomberg also reports that Boeing has disbanded its global DEI department, making it the latest prominent company to revise its DEI policy as its new top executive implements a wider overhaul of the company's workforce. Employees from Boeing's DEI office will be integrated with another HR team that focuses on talent and employee experience, according to sources familiar with the situation. The new CEO of Boeing has adopted a "merit-based" performance assessment approach. Boeing, in a statement, reiterated its commitment to recruiting and retaining top talent and fostering an inclusive work environment where every team member worldwide can perform at their best while supporting the company's mission.

Boeing's Previous DEI Commitments

Boeing had previously vowed to expand opportunities for underrepresented workers, including Black employees, following the death of George Floyd in 2020. The company had committed to increasing overall Black employment by 20% by 2025. Last year, Boeing was already nearing this goal, with Black employment rising to 7.5% in 2023, representing a 17% increase, based on data submitted to the US federal government.

Departure of DEI Vice President

Sara Liang Bowen, the Boeing vice president who headed the now-disbanded department, exited the company recently. In a farewell post on LinkedIn, Bowen expressed pride in the team's achievements, despite the challenges and imperfections, and expressed a desire to have accomplished even more.

Bottom Line

Boeing's shift away from a dedicated DEI department towards a merit-based system raises interesting questions about the future of diversity initiatives in large corporations. Is this a sign of changing attitudes towards DEI, or simply a unique approach by Boeing? We'd love to hear your thoughts on this development. Feel free to share this article with your friends and continue the discussion. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.