SAP's Move Away from Gender Diversity: A Shift Amid Trump's Policy Climate
SAP discontinues initiatives focused on gender equality
In a surprising turn of events, multinational software firm SAP, known for advocating for gender diversity in the workplace, seems to be stepping back from its initiatives. The shift is allegedly in response to the political environment under President Donald Trump. According to a leaked internal email, SAP no longer intends to aim for a 40% female workforce and gender diversity will no longer factor into executive compensation.
The respected German newspaper, "Handelsblatt," reports this change, stating that SAP views diversity and an inclusive workforce as essential for a high-performing organization. However, as a global player with a strong U.S. presence, it must adapt to shifts in external circumstances, such as current legal developments. Consequently, adjustments in the "Diversity and Inclusion" sector are necessary.
SAP plans additional alterations. The company will no longer apply its female leadership quota to the U.S., and the "Diversity and Inclusion Office" will merge with the "Corporate Social Responsibility" department, losing its independence. SAP confirmed this shift in board remuneration criteria to the newspaper.
Adjusting to the Climate
The Trump administration has been putting pressure on corporations and NGOs with U.S. ties to abandon diversity initiatives that diverge from Trump's beliefs for months. For example, T-Mobile, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom in the U.S., has pledged to discontinue such programs.
SAP CEO Christian Klein recently shared positive experiences from meetings with Trump in an interview with "Der Spiegel." He described Trump as receptive and open to feedback in a confidential setting. On his inaugural day in office, Trump signed an executive order forbidding U.S. federal agencies from using diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Insights from Stanford and Beyond
Although there is no concrete evidence linking SAP's changes to direct pressure from the Trump administration, it's worth noting that the administration's stance on DEI has been a contentious topic among educational institutions. Members of the Senate Associate Program (SAP) at Stanford University have expressed concerns about the administration's policies, urging Stanford to strengthen its commitment to diversity principles to safeguard diverse perspectives and marginalized populations[2].
Furthermore, the Trump administration's FY 2026 budget proposal proposes substantial cuts to educational programs, which might indirectly influence institutional priorities, but there is no explicit mention of SAP or its initiatives in the available information[1].
- SAP
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Donald Trump
[1] FY 2026 budget proposal: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/[2] Senate Associate Program (SAP) at Stanford University: https://sap.stanford.edu/
- Despite initially advocating for gender diversity, SAP, under the leadership of CEO Christian Klein, appears to be adjusting its Diversity and Inclusion initiatives due to the political climate under President Donald Trump.
- The Trump administration's stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been a topic of concern among educational institutions like the Senate Associate Program (SAP) at Stanford University, who are urging institutions to strengthen their commitment to such principles.
- SAP's internal email reveals the company no longer intends to aim for a 40% female workforce and will no longer factor gender diversity into executive compensation.
- In a surprising turn, SAP plans to merge its Diversity and Inclusion Office with the Corporate Social Responsibility department, losing its independence, and will no longer apply its female leadership quota to the U.S.
- The Commission is also proposing to increase the number of EU-funded projects to help businesses and general-news outlets navigate the complex interplay between finance, business, politics, and diversity issues in today's landscape.