Nike among the first targeted by EEOC for DEI activity

The retail giant called the commission’s attempt to enforce an administrative subpoena Wednesday a “surprising and unusual escalation.”

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 5, 2026

FTC fires warning shot at law firms that pursued DEI certification

Under President Donald Trump, the agency has said it will target “collusion or unlawful coordination on DEI metrics” that diminishes labor competition.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 3, 2026

Target, Best Buy CEOs sign letter calling for ‘deescalation of tensions’ in Minnesota

Michael Fiddelke joined about 60 other CEOs, including Best Buy's Corie Barry, in signing a letter about "recent challenges" in the state.

By Dani James • Jan. 27, 2026

Most companies are staying the course on ESG — just talking about it less

While companies have increasingly downplayed or avoided announcing their sustainability efforts, experts say they “remain on the same trajectory.”

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 22, 2026

1 year into Trump 2.0, HR professionals are ‘caught in the middle’ of the DEI debate

As the White House and EEOC solidify their anti-DEI stances, here are a few things HR can keep in mind.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 22, 2026

Gender pay gap in healthcare still exists, analysis shows

Despite being overrepresented in the field, women in healthcare are still paid less than their male peers, according to Premier Law Group data analysis.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 20, 2026

AI, tech expand career options for women in supply chain

Emerging technologies require new processes and operating models, creating a “huge opportunity” for women in the sector, says Berenice Vettore, global chief quality officer at The Estée Lauder Cos.

By Kelly Stroh • Jan. 15, 2026

eBay unveils climate transition plan to reach 2045 net-zero target

The transition plan comes almost a year after the e-commerce giant had its net-zero and emissions reduction goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 14, 2026

VC firm Superorganism raises over $25M to back biodiversity startups

The venture capital firm will look to expand its portfolio from 20 startups to 35 through its debut fund, its co-founders told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 13, 2026

Trump pulls US from key climate treaty, 65 other global organizations

The U.S. will exit the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and several other global bodies focused on climate, energy, sustainable development and gender equality.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 9, 2026

Anti-DEI legal group asks EEOC to investigate Penguin Random House

While it is not clear that any previous appeal to EEOC has resulted in action from the agency, shifting priorities under the Trump administration may result in a different outcome.

By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 22, 2025

JPMorgan conducted ‘fake’ interviews of Black candidates, lawsuit alleges

The bank’s treatment of the plaintiff is part of a decades-long “unbroken pattern of systemic race discrimination against African Americans,” per the lawsuit.

By Ginger Christ • Dec. 17, 2025

Trump issues EO targeting proxy advisers, including ISS, Glass Lewis

The order is directed at the SEC, FTC and DOL with the aim of stymieing the reach of the two proxy advisers, particularly on ESG and DEI-related issues.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 15, 2025

Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit

Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

By Caroline Colvin • Dec. 15, 2025

Apple’s environmental, social chief to retire next month

Lisa Jackson, the tech company’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, will depart in late January 2026 without a direct replacement.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 11, 2025

Trump administration illegally fired workers for real or perceived DEI roles, lawsuit alleges

The president’s “anti-DEI”-related directives allegedly “were targeted actions intended to punish perceived political enemies.”

By Ginger Christ • Dec. 11, 2025

EU legislators reach agreement to simplify sustainability reporting

The revised agreement would remove around 90% of companies from the CSRD’s scope, and 70% of companies from the CSDDD’s remit.

By Lamar Johnson • Dec. 9, 2025

AT&T drops DEI, gets $1B acquisition of UScellular greenlit

The telecommunications company committed to scrapping policies and programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in a bid to get a deal approved by the FCC.

By Zoya Mirza • Updated Dec. 9, 2025

Starbucks to pay $39M in New York City labor settlement

New York City alleged the company violated its Fair Workweek rules upwards of 500,000 times between 2021 and 2024.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Dec. 4, 2025

Employers, workers to face healthcare ‘affordability crunch,’ report warns

A “sharp growth” in prescription drug spending, including pricey GLP-1 weight-loss medications, helped fuel the increase, according to HR consulting firm Mercer.

By Ginger Christ • Nov. 25, 2025

Microsoft ditches publishing ‘traditional’ diversity and inclusion report this year

The tech giant will instead help demonstrate its D&I progress through “more dynamic and accessible” formats, its chief communications officer told ESG Dive.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 25, 2025

US Plastics Pact assesses pluses and minuses of chemical recycling

The group calls for chemical recyclers to consider environmental justice impacts and offer more data and transparency around operations, but says the technologies offer key circular economy opportunities for plastic.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 24, 2025

Pay equity, barrier analysis remain ‘very legal’ ways to advance DEI, experts say

As DEI is increasingly politicized, HR still has some low-hanging fruit available.

By Kate Tornone • Nov. 20, 2025

Starbucks Workers United launches 65-store strike

The union said its members are prepared for the longest and most serious strike in the brand’s history, aimed at pushing Starbucks to agree to more favorable contract terms.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 14, 2025

Is the rise of female CFOs pausing — or stalling out?

Women accounted for 17.5% of CFOs at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies at the end of June, roughly flat YoY, according to Crist Kolder Associates.

By Colleen Lutolf • Nov. 12, 2025