SAP Steps Back from Gender Diversity Push: A Global Corporate Response to Trump's Anti-Woke Agenda
SAP discontinues initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality
Insight: SAP's shift in gender diversity policy might be a strategic response to the pressure exerted by US President Donald Trump's anti-diversity stance.
In a surprising move, global tech giant SAP is reportedly dropping its ambition to boost the female representation in its workforce and leadership roles to 40%. This change comes amidst demands from the United States, as cited by Germany's "Handelsblatt" newspaper.
According to an internal SAP email, the company is no longer actively working towards this goal and gender diversity will no longer form part of the criteria considered during board remuneration assessments.
Insight: The reforms seem to be in response to the political climate created by the Trump administration, which has targeted diversity initiatives in large companies and non-profits with US connections.
In an internal email, SAP emphasized the importance of a diverse workforce and inclusive leadership for high-performing organizations. However, as a multinational company with significant presence in US markets, it must also address external changes, such as the present legal landscape. Consequently, adjustments in the "Diversity and Inclusion" sector are inevitable.
Insight: Other modifications in store for the company include the ceasing of US market consideration when calculating the women in leadership quota, along with the merging of the "Diversity and Inclusion Office" with the "Corporate Social Responsibility" department. SAP has confirmed these changes.
This move follows similar steps taken by other major companies under Trump's pressure. For instance, T-Mobile, a US subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, has committed to ending diversity programs that contradict Trump's views.
Insight: SAP's CEO, Christian Klein, praised his meetings with Trump, describing them as "constructive." He added that Trump is open to feedback, alluding to the closed-door session he attended as part of a group of CEOs.
Upon taking office, Trump signed an executive order prohibiting US federal agencies from utilizing programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Source: ntv.de, sba/AFP
- SAP
- Donald Trump
- Diversity and Inclusion
- The European Union, committed to a common policy on the environment, might find it concerning that global tech giant SAP, in response to political pressure from US President Donald Trump, is reportedly dropping its goal to increase the proportion of female employees in its workforce and leadership roles.
- The financial implications of SAP's decision to step back from its gender diversity push could potentially impact its standing in the general-news sector, as this move aligns with the Trump administration's stance against diversity initiatives.
- In the realm of business and politics, SAP's changes in its "Diversity and Inclusion" sector, such as the ceasing of US market consideration when calculating the women in leadership quota, serve as an example of how companies may adjust their policies to comply with the current legal landscape.
- The developments unfolding in SAP's response to Trump's anti-diversity stance peripherally affect various sectors, including finance, as this shift in policy may influence remuneration for board members.
- As for SAP's CEO, Christian Klein, his praise for constructive meetings with Trump could be attributed to a need for their business to navigate the challenging political climate created by the Trump administration's anti-diversity stance.