U.S. toolmaker under fire for DEI hiring and LGBTQ lobbying, faces boycott

U.S. toolmaker Stanley Black and Decker is under fire for embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies that conservatives describe as "woke," which could lead to a boycott of the company's products.

According to a new report from the advocacy group Consumers' Research, Stanley Black and Decker, which owns the DeWalt, Black and Decker and Stanley brands, is seeking to increase minority suppliers by at least 10% by next year, donate about $10.5 million to "racial equity" organizations, and require "equity training" sessions for senior level employees.

The report said the $24 billion company spent about $280,000 on lobbying for passage of the Equality Act, which would allow transgender women to play in women's sports.

"Companies need to focus on serving their customers, not woke politicians," said Will Hild, director of Consumers' Research.