The renowned toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker is the latest company to face significant backlash for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. A conservative advocacy group, Consumers’ Research, has called for a boycott of the company, claiming that its focus on DEI initiatives is detracting from customer satisfaction and business priorities.
The boycott is largely driven by the company’s commitment to DEI goals, which include a “racial equity roadmap” and efforts to increase business with minority-owned suppliers. By 2025, Stanley Black & Decker plans to allocate at least 10% of its business to such suppliers and has committed to donating over $10 million to organizations supporting racial equity. Critics argue that these policies prioritize race over merit, alienating customers and workers alike.
Top US toolmaker faces boycott over DEI hiring and LGBTQ lobbying campaign….Stanley Black and Decker under pressure over 10% race quota for suppliers@StanleyBlkDeckr is not a good company. It hates women and funds men competing against women in sports and is also racist.… pic.twitter.com/jumCpg7mqC
— judy morris (@judymorris3) September 5, 2024
The backlash is part of a broader conservative movement against corporate DEI initiatives, which critics deem "woke" policies. In addition to its DEI goals, Stanley Black & Decker has also been a significant donor to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a group advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
The company's support of the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index, where it earned a 100% rating, has been cited as another example of its alignment with progressive causes.
Top toolmaker faces boycott over DEI hiring and LGBTQ lobbying
Stanley Black and Decker has strayed into politics by pushing cultural values that 'have nothing to do with ensuring consumer satisfaction.'
DeWalt, Black and Decker, and Stanley
https://t.co/E9G7V01PCE— Karren H Willard (@KarrenWillard) September 5, 2024
The boycott gained traction through figures like conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has led efforts against several major brands for similar policies, including Harley-Davidson and Lowe’s. Starbuck and others claim that these companies are abandoning core customers in favor of appeasing progressive activists.
In Stanley Black & Decker’s case, its sponsorship of legislation like the Equality Act, which extends protections to transgender individuals in areas such as sports, has further fueled conservative ire.
Despite the pushback, DEI advocates maintain that such initiatives are essential for creating inclusive workplaces and tapping into a diverse talent pool. They argue that scaling back these efforts would be a mistake, both ethically and economically, as companies could risk alienating a growing base of customers and employees who support diversity initiatives.
The tension reflects the broader cultural divide in the United States, where companies that embrace progressive social policies often find themselves at odds with conservative consumers. As the boycott against Stanley Black & Decker unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the company will bow to pressure like some other firms have or maintain its stance on DEI and ESG commitments
Black and Decker used to be a good company until they changed their focus from making quality tools to pushing the gay agenda and black power nonsense. Make up your mind–are you in the political business or the tool business? Go Woke – Go Broke. I’ll buy from Harbor Freight.
This used to be an All American company with a good tools etc.What made them kiss the asses of Biden’s BLM,LGBYQ crazyness?I will not buy anything from Black and Decker again!