Verizon terminates all DEI policies effective immediately

Verizon announced the termination of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in a Thursday letter sent to FCC Chairman Brandon Carr. The telecommunications company said it recognized that some of its DEI policies were "discriminatory" and vowed to terminate all company roles focused on DEI effective immediately. This comes after the Trump administration launched a probe into the company over such policies in February.

Verizon cited Supreme Court rulings, President Donald Trump's executive orders, and federal mandates for its decision to eliminate DEI from the company. The company will no longer maintain workforce diversity goals and said it would remove references to DEI from employee training and make other changes to hiring, career development, supplier diversity, and corporate sponsorships, according to the letter.

"Delivering for customers requires attracting the best talent from across the country. We are committed to creating a culture that leverages and values each person's unique strengths and talents. These values have been fundamental to our Verizon culture since our founding 25 years ago. However, we recognize that the regulatory and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion ('DEI') has changed. The Supreme Court, the President's Executive Orders, and federal mandates require changes in the way companies approach DEI issues moving forward," wrote Verizon chief legal officer Vandana Venkatesh in the letter.

"In response to this changing landscape, Verizon has been evaluating its DEI-related programs, HR processes, supplier programs, training programs and materials, and other initiatives," the letter continues. "Verizon recognized that some DEI policies and practices could be associated with discrimination. For that reason, Verizon reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination and is modifying its practices and ending its DEI-related policies...Verizon is making these changes to its practices not just in name or in the way they are described, but in substance. These changes are effective immediately."

Verizon is one of several companies to terminate its DEI policies following the president's executive order signed in January. While Trump's EO applied to federal institutions and those that receive federal funding, private companies have been pressured to follow suit. Reuters reported that its decision comes as Verizon aims to get FCC approval for its $9.6 billion purchase of Frontier.

FCC chairman Carr welcomed Verizon's decision in a statement to the publication, saying, "This is a good and important step forward - one that promotes equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and the public interest."