Verizon Ends Diversity Initiatives Under Pressure From FCC

Telecommunications giant Verizon is ending several internal programs that foster — or simply mention — a diverse workforce, following a federal probe and threats from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr.

After President Donald Trump issued an executive order to rid the federal government of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives, the FCC in February launched a formal investigation into Verizon’s corporate diversity practices. The probe arrived as Verizon awaited approval for its planned $9.6 billion takeover of Frontier Communications. Carr has been open about leveraging the Frontier deal against Verizon. Asked in a CNBC interview whether he would block Verizon’s purchase if it didn’t shut down workplace diversity programs, he replied, “I’ve told everybody if they want to get a deal done before the FCC, they need to get rid of any invidious forms of discrimination.”

In a May 15 letter to Carr, obtained by The Intercept, Verizon chief legal officer Vandana Venkatesh writes that the company will comply with the government’s wishes. “Delivering for customers requires attracting the best talent from across the country,” Venkatesh says. “We are committed to creating a culture that leverages and values each person’s unique strengths and talents. These values have been fundamental to our Verizon culture since our founding 25 years ago. However, we recognize that the regulatory and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) has changed.” Following an internal evaluation, “Verizon recognizes that some DEl policies and practices could be associated with discrimination. For that reason, Verizon reaffirms its commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination and is modifying its practices and ending its DEI-related policies.”

The changes include reassigning diversity-focused roles in Verizon’s human resources department; removing mentions of the words “diversity, equity, and inclusion” from employee training; ceasing to consider diversity when doing business with outside vendors in favor of contracting with “small businesses, including veteran-owned businesses”; and eliminating diversity-based hiring goals. The letter also says the company will cease certain “corporate sponsorships” in response to FCC demands — potentially a reference to the company’s past sponsorship of Pride events — and will cease to use the term “DEI” or the words “diversity, equity and inclusion” in any public messaging. Any prior reference to these words or concepts will be deleted, according to the letter.

The letter marks an about-face for Verizon and Venkatesh personally. In a 2023 LinkedIn post announcing a DEI-related company award, she wrote, “I’m so proud of the work the team has done to launch the annual IDEAward, recognizing law firms that share our commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging in the legal industry. Congratulations to the winners and honorees of Verizon’s first annual IDEAward, and to the V-teamers who, like David, have dedicated their time and effort to making our company – and the legal profession – a more inclusive one.”

Verizon is just one in a string of corporate reversals on workplace diversity since Trump’s election. Amazon, Boeing, Disney, and many others have similarly shuttered diversity-related programs following years of right-wing pressure.

Verizon declined to comment.

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