Global professional services firm Accenture announced it will discontinue its global employee representation goals and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting private sector DEI initiatives. According to an internal memo shared with ESG Dive, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet informed employees of these changes on February 6.
Key changes include eliminating representation goals, ending career development programs for specific demographics, and halting participation in external diversity benchmarking surveys. Sweet cited the evolving U.S. policy landscape as the reason for the shift, stating that Accenture will no longer use diversity goals to measure performance but will instead emphasize inclusion and belonging.
Policy and Industry Context
Following his inauguration on January 20, Trump issued executive orders rolling back DEI policies, including a January 21 order instructing federal agencies to scrutinize private-sector DEI initiatives. On February 5, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi declared that the Department of Justice would investigate and penalize illegal DEI practices in businesses and educational institutions.
Accenture joins companies such as McDonald’s, Meta, Amazon, Target, and Google in scaling back DEI programs. These organizations have shifted focus from representation-based diversity hiring and supplier diversity goals to broader commitments to inclusion.
Accenture’s DEI Evolution
Accenture first introduced employee representation goals in 2017 and updated them in 2020. One major goal was to achieve gender balance by 2025. However, as of 2023, Accenture’s workforce remained 64% male and 35% female, according to its reported demographics.
In her memo, Sweet emphasized that Accenture remains committed to meritocracy and an inclusive workplace. “We are and always have been a meritocracy,” she wrote. “We are and always have been committed to an inclusive, merit-based workplace free from bias, and a culture in which all our people are respected, feel a sense of belonging, and have equal opportunity.”
Future Adjustments and Continued Efforts
Accenture will now focus on expanding its core career development programs instead of targeted initiatives. While it pauses external diversity benchmarking participation, it will reassess its long-term involvement in such surveys and external partnerships.
Despite these changes, the company will continue supporting employee resource groups and remain committed to global pay equity. Additionally, it will maintain demographic reporting in regions where it currently does so.
Sweet’s announcement aligns with recommendations from former EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum, who suggested companies could frame DEI programs as commitments to inclusion and fair workplaces rather than specific diversity mandates.
As corporate DEI strategies shift, Accenture’s approach reflects broader industry trends of adapting initiatives to comply with evolving regulations while maintaining a commitment to inclusive work environments.
