SAN FRANCISCO — In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on race-conscious admissions, a coalition of Republican attorneys general is warning major companies that diversity quotas in hiring are “immoral” and that they will take legal action against employers who implement such practices. The letter, sent to Fortune 100 companies including Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, argues that the Supreme Court’s ruling against race-conscious admissions in higher education should serve as a warning to all employers. Many in the tech industry fear that this decision will lead to legal challenges against diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Silicon Valley.
The letter, signed by 13 Republican attorneys general, asserts that companies must immediately cease any unlawful race-based quotas or preferences in their employment and contracting practices. Failure to do so will result in accountability for treating people differently based on the color of their skin.
Affirmative action ruling could be a blow to diversity in tech
According to The Washington Post, the letter states, “If your company previously resorted to racial preferences or naked quotas to offset its bigotry, that discriminatory path is now definitively closed.” The attorneys general urge companies to abandon any unlawful race-based quotas or preferences immediately.
The Supreme Court’s ruling does not prevent companies from considering race in their hiring process, but it may influence how courts analyze legal challenges related to diversity. Thursday’s letter serves as a warning of the potential consequences that some states may pursue regarding these issues.
In a blog post by Morgan Lewis, a labor and employment litigation law firm, they advise organizations to evaluate the legal and reputational risks of their hiring practices and reconsider their diversity and inclusion programs in light of the recent ruling.
The tech industry, already struggling with diversity and facing layoffs, is particularly affected by the Supreme Court’s decision. However, several companies have reaffirmed their commitment to their hiring practices in response to the ruling.
Representatives for Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft have not yet responded to requests for comment.
