Disney shareholders vote to keep letting company participate in DEI workplace survey

Disney shareholders rejected an investor proposal to withdraw participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate equality index, which rates workplaces on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality.Disney, helmed by CEO Bob Iger, is among the highest-profile employers to revise some of its diversity and inclusion practices as the Trump administration cracks down on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, practices across the federal government and in the private sector.Walt Disney was among 765 companies to receive a perfect score in its 2025 ranking, acknowledging its efforts to protect against workplace discrimination, to provide inclusive benefits and to offer training to achieve an inclusive culture.The shareholder proposal argues that Disney’s involvement in such divisive political issues has alienated segments of the audience, and damaged the company’s stock price.It urges investors to support the proposal, which it says provides an opportunity for Disney “to move back to neutral.”Disney urged investors to reject the proposal, saying its board already provides oversight of workforce equity matters.Only 1% of shareholders voted to support this measure, according to the preliminary tally announced Thursday.Other companies, including automaker Ford Motor, motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson and home improvement retailer Lowe’s, have ended their participation in the annual ranking of companies with LGBTQ-friendly work environments.A number of US companies have retreated from DEI in recent months, as the Trump administration stepped up threats to companies and institutions that engage in those efforts.Even Disney changed its executive compensation criteria, replacing the objective of increasing diversity and inclusion with a factor called “talent strategy,” which evaluates how well leaders advance the company’s overall values.In other matters, Disney’s investors returned all 10 members to its board of ...