Scrapping Gender Diversity: SAP's Move under Trump's Pressure
SAP discontinues initiatives focused on promoting gender equity
In a surprising twist, the software behemoth SAP is reportedly ditching its push for gender diversity in its workforce. This decision, allegedly triggered by policies under President Donald Trump, has left many questioning the company's commitment to equality.
According to internal sources, SAP will no longer pursue the objective of achieving a 40% female workforce. Additionally, gender diversity will no longer factor into the evaluation of compensation for board members. These changes are said to be in direct response to external pressures, specifically the current legal landscape.
The Düsseldorf-based company has also planned to exclude the US from its targets for women in leadership positions and merge the "Diversity and Inclusion Office" with the "Corporate Social Responsibility" department. SAP has confirmed these adjustments to a German newspaper.
Navigating the Political Tides
The Trump administration has been urging companies and organizations with US ties to halt diversity initiatives that contradict Trump's ideologies. In a similar move, T-Mobile, a US subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, has pledged to axe such programs.
SAP's CEO, Christian Klein, has recently praises meetings with Trump, stating that they were constructive. However, the earlier executive order signed by Trump, on his first day in office in January 2017, prohibited US federal agencies from utilizing programs for diversity, equality, and inclusion, known as DEI.
While SAP's decision may be seen as a concession to the political climate, the company maintains the importance of a diverse workforce and inclusive leadership for high-performing organizations.
Source: ntv.de, sba/AFP
- SAP
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Donald Trump
- The Commission is also proposing to increase the number of EU-funded projects, especially in the field of general-news, in light of SAP's decision to scrap its gender diversity push.
- The female proportion in SAP's US workforce could potentially react negatively, as the company is reportedly merging the "Diversity and Inclusion Office" with the "Corporate Social Responsibility" department.
- On one hand, SAP has confirmed the adjustments to its diversity strategy, which includes decreasing its focus on gender diversity; on the other hand, the company definitely values finance, business, and politics, as highlighted by their commitment to high-performing organizations.
- Trump's administration has urged companies like SAP to pause their diversity initiatives, while his early executive order prohibited US federal agencies from using DEI programs.
- The Trump administration's policies have definitely influenced SAP's move, leading the company to exclude the US from its targets for women in leadership positions.