Meta's chief diversity officer, Maxine Williams, told her staff in a memo Friday that the company's decision to back off DEI efforts wouldn't affect employee resource groups, according to an internal post viewed by Business Insider.
Employee resource groups are worker-led communities meant to create a sense of belonging at companies. Meta has several of these groups, which it calls MRGs.
In a post to an internal forum, Williams tried to cushion the blow of Meta's decision Friday to roll back its diversity, equity, and inclusion program. Some staff members criticized the move, while at least one worker called it "pretty reasonable."
"I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that these changes may be difficult to understand and process since they represent a significant shift in our strategies for achieving the cognitive diversity we value," Williams wrote.
She stressed that the changes wouldn't affect Meta's support for its "MRGs and BRGs," or Black employee resource groups.
"You play a critical role in creating a place for community and connection — among us and with the company," she added.
"I have watched you show support, share resources, and bond through learning, understanding, and appreciating our various backgrounds. Our Global Communities contribute to the richness of our experiences as we learn from each other and leverage our different backgrounds, working together to build products for the world."
Williams has been Meta's chief diversity officer for more than a decade. On Friday, she told staff that she was taking on a new role focused on accessibility and engagement.
"But I, and my team, will continue to support you as contribute to our global community at Meta," she wrote.
Do you work at Meta? Contact BI reporters from a nonwork email and device at jmann@bjinnox.com and pdixit@bjinnox.com.
