Nissan is the latest in a growing list of automakers and companies to give in to the snowflakes who feel key diversity initiatives aren’t fair. You can thank your local conservative activists for this. I’m sure this will make for a much more accepting, less hostile work environment for people of color and other protected groups.
Apparently, Nissan’s American unit reviewed its diversity program after questions from employees and “other engagements” (read: internet Chuds), according to Bloomberg. Nissan America’s outgoing chairman, Jeremie Papin, made the announcement via letter to Nissan employees. In it, he said Nissan’s regional unit will stop participating in surveys or activities with outside organizations that are “heavily focused on political activism.” He added that Nissan will also align employee training with its core business objectives, whatever that means.
The Japanese automaker became the latest in a list of companies, like Ford, Harley-Davidson, Tesla, Caterpillar and Toyota, and it’s a very quick reversal of where Nissan was just a year ago. In 2023, Papin said he was “particularly proud of” Nissan’s focus on DEI. Here’s a little about what Nissan used to do, from Bloomberg:
Nissan had been participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, a survey that measures support for LGBTQ workers. In Nissan’s latest diversity report covering North and South America, Nissan emphasized its commitment to DEI, including benefits for LGBTQ workers.
“Nissan Americas’ DEI efforts bolster our heritage of always daring to do what others do not,” Papin said in Nissan’s 2023 diversity report. In the same report, Chandra Vasser, Nissan’s chief DEI officer, said “While other companies may shy away from DEI, it is front and center at Nissan, starting on an employee’s very first day.”
In a statement to Bloomberg, a Nissan spokesperson said that respect and inclusion have been at the core of Nissan for nearly 40 years, and it has ultimately led to the success of its business. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t want that to be in writing anymore.
Man, it really sucks to see stuff like this happen. I’m going to get used to it, though, because I don’t see this pattern changing over the next four years.
