IBM捲入反DEI風暴

IBM再度陷入多重歧視爭議。這家科技巨頭過去曾因多元平等與共融（DEI）計畫被控「歧視白人員工」，如今又面臨新訴訟，指控公司為遵守前美國總統川普的反DEI行政命令，違法解雇員工。

IBM is once again embroiled in controversy over discrimination. The tech giant, previously accused of favoring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that allegedly discriminated against White workers, now faces a new lawsuit claiming it unlawfully terminated employees to comply with former President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI executive order.

根據在華盛頓提起的訴狀，原告引用IBM執行長Arvind Krishna在川普簽署行政命令後的談話。該命令要求聯邦機構及承包商終止所有DEI政策、部門與職位。當時被問及公司是否會遵守命令時，Krishna據稱回答：「當然我們會遵守。」原告聲稱，公司隨後解雇包括她在內的多名非裔高階主管，而這些解雇「並非基於績效」。

According to the complaint filed in Washington, the plaintiff cited remarks made by IBM CEO Arvind Krishna after Trump’s order directing federal agencies and contractors to eliminate all DEI programs, offices, and positions. When asked if IBM would comply, Krishna reportedly responded, “Of course we will comply.” The plaintiff alleged that subsequent terminations of Black executives, including herself, were not performance-related.

原告進一步指出，她原居於馬里蘭州，但依公司要求長期通勤至麻州辦公，根據IBM內部規定，被要求調動或遠距通勤的員工不應列入裁員名單，但她仍被解雇，顯示公司違反自身政策。訴狀指稱，IBM違反了1964年《民權法》第七章及1866年《民權法》，以種族為由歧視並解雇黑人員工。

The complaint further noted that the plaintiff, originally based in Maryland, was instructed to commute regularly to an IBM office in Massachusetts. Company policy states that employees required to relocate or commute should not be

這並非IBM首次捲入DEI爭議。

保守派團體「美國優先法律基金會」（America First Legal）過去已針對IBM提出至少三起訴訟，指控公司為了達成多元化目標而歧視白人員工。

included in workforce reductions, yet she was terminated nonetheless. The lawsuit claims IBM violated Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 by discriminating against Black employees based on race.

去年七月，IBM與其中一名白人原告達成和解；

該名員工主張自己表現良好，卻被列入改進計畫後遭解雇。

另一件於今年六月提起的訴訟仍在審理中。

This is not the first time IBM has faced DEI-related disputes. Conservative group America First Legal has filed at least three lawsuits against IBM, alleging discrimination against White workers in pursuit of diversity targets. One case was settled last July after a White employee claimed he was placed on a performance improvement plan and later terminated despite strong performance reviews. Another case, filed in June, remains in litigation.

此外，IBM旗下的紅帽公司（Red Hat）亦於2024年被控解雇一名白人男性員工，原因是他公開批評以種族與性別為導向的招聘政策。該案目前暫停，等待仲裁結果。

In 2024, IBM subsidiary Red Hat was also sued for allegedly firing a White male employee who publicly criticized race- and gender-based hiring practices. The case has been stayed pending arbitration.

川普政府的行政命令同時要求聯邦機構鼓勵民間企業取消DEI計畫。此舉引發多方訴訟，一度有聯邦法院裁定部分命令違憲，但第四巡迴上訴法院暫停了該禁令。

Trump’s executive orders further directed federal agencies to encourage private-sector employers to drop DEI programs. The orders have faced legal challenges - one federal judge enjoined portions of them, but the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the injunction pending appeal.

這些政策風向已迫使企業重新檢討其DEI策略。部分律師指出，企業可能不會全面撤除DEI，而是僅調整被視為「非法DEI」的部分措施，因為多元文化在人才招募與創新環境中仍被視為重要資產。

These shifting policies have prompted many companies to reassess their DEI strategies. Legal experts note that most employers are unlikely to abandon DEI entirely, opting instead to modify what regulators deem “illegal DEI,” as workplace diversity remains a valued driver of innovation and talent attraction.