Consulting firm also ending diversity goals
Deloitte US has instructed employees working on government contracts to remove gender pronouns from their email signatures, while also discontinuing its broader diversity and inclusion initiatives. This move follows a shift in corporate policies after Donald Trump’s election.
Consultants at the firm who work with the US government were directed last week to eliminate pronouns that indicate gender from externally sent emails, according to sources familiar with the matter, according to the Financial Times.
An internal email to Deloitte’s government and public services division, which consists of around 15,000 employees, stated that these adjustments were being made “to align with emerging government client practices and requirements.”
A separate communication on Monday, reviewed by the Financial Times, indicated that Deloitte US would also “sunset” its diversity goals, annual diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reports, and related DEI programming.
This decision aligns with broader corporate shifts in response to political changes, with Accenture also recently announcing the elimination of its global diversity goals and demographic-specific career programs, citing a reassessment of the US political environment.
Google is also ending its diversity hiring targets, according to various reports.
Last month, in one of his first executive orders after returning to the White House, Trump instructed federal agencies to eliminate all references to “gender ideology” in their communications. The order was designed to “restore biological truth to the federal government” and established that official US government policy would recognize only two sexes in all documents and messaging, says the Financial Times.
While the directive did not impose specific requirements on private companies, it instructed government agencies to ensure that “federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology” and to consider “grantee preferences” when awarding contracts. An incoming White House official stated at the time that federal contract reviews would be conducted to ensure they were “not being given in a manner to promote gender ideology.”
In last week’s communication to consultants working with the US government, Deloitte provided a new email signature template for employees to implement by February 7, according to individuals who received the message.
A separate email this week confirmed that Deloitte US would be discontinuing its DEI programs following “a detailed review of all pertinent government directives to ensure we comply,” says the Financial Times. The firm had previously announced various DEI targets to be met by 2025, including a $200-million investment in “Black-led businesses” and efforts to improve gender and ethnic diversity within its leadership.
While discontinuing some DEI initiatives, Deloitte US will continue hosting heritage month events, supporting internal ethnic networks, and maintaining “inclusion councils.” The email also stated that the company would keep refining its hiring practices to ensure they remain “fair and non-discriminatory.”
“Everyone is welcome at Deloitte,” the message affirmed, while also encouraging employees to “Please take care of each other,” says the Financial Times.
Deloitte US confirmed the email signature guidance for its government and public services division but declined to comment on the DEI program changes.
“As a US government contractor, we have a long-standing track record of compliance with new governmental requirements,” the firm stated.
The White House and the Office of Management and Budget, which oversees government agency spending, did not respond to requests for comment.
