AT&T vows to scrap DEI insurance policies — including employee training that called racism ‘uniquely white trait’

AT&T vowed to scrap range insurance policies that have sparked controversy in recent times – including a controversial employee training program that reportedly called racism a “uniquely white trait”.

The Dallas-based telecom large told FCC Chairman Brendan Carr in a Monday letter that the “legal landscape governing diversity, equity and inclusion (‘DEI’) policies and programs has changed.”

The company – which has over 110,000 US staff – said it has a “longstanding practice to pay and advance individuals based on merit and qualification,” including that it won’t implement any hiring or provider contract quotas based on race, gender or sexual orientation. 

FCC Chair Brendan Carr has made it clear that companies won’t be accredited for essential FCC licenses until they axe range initiatives. REUTERS

AT&T said it doesn’t and won’t have any worker roles centered on DEI, and that it has eliminated all DEI training from worker curriculum. 

Part of that training beforehand called racism a “uniquely white trait” and told white staff at AT&T that they “are the problem,” according to a 2021 report based on leaked documents.

Employees had been inspired to review assets associated to essential race principle, including one that said, “White America, if you want to know who’s responsible for racism, look in the mirror,” according to City Journal’s Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

AT&T didn’t instantly reply to The Post’s request for remark.

“We have … adjusted our employment and business practices to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and related requirements, including ending DEI-related policies … not just in name but in substance,” David McAtee, senior government vice president and normal counsel at AT&T, wrote in the letter.

The Dallas, Texas-based telecom large vowed to scrap its range applications. Christopher Sadowski

“AT&T has always stood for merit-based opportunity, and we are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination today,” McAtee said in the letter.

He added that the company will preserve its worker teams, which have been round for more than 50 years. These teams are often centered on protected traits, like a women’s network or black worker network.

But AT&T said it won’t block staffers from becoming a member of particular teams based on any demographics.

AT&T also said it should no longer take part in surveys centered on protected traits. 

AT&T’s letter follows related commitments by Verizon and T-Mobile as the firms look to tackle cable and satellite tv for pc rivals – and Carr has made it clear that companies won’t be accredited for essential FCC licenses until they axe range initiatives.

President Trump has signed a number of government orders aimed toward unwinding DEI insurance policies at the public and personal level.  through REUTERS

Over the summer time, the Ellison household’s media large, Skydance, equally promised to eliminate DEI policies at Paramount and appoint a media ombudsman at CBS News as the two firms sought approval for his or her merger.

The FCC greenlit the long-awaited $8.4 billion deal just a day later.

Many firms that have ended their DEI insurance policies have also stopped submitting data to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGTBQ advocacy group, for its Corporate Equality Index.

In his second time period, President Trump has signed a number of government orders aimed toward unwinding DEI insurance policies at the public and personal level. 

A 2023 Supreme Court ruling overturning race-based affirmative action in college admissions has also helped to crack down on DEI applications.

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