In a surprise reversal, Home Depot, Inc., officials announced last week that they will add sexual orientation to the retailer’s non-discrimination policy.
Until last week, Home Depot had opposed the addition, saying “Our stated policy is that we do not discriminate on the basis of color, race, age, sex, natural origin, religion or disability … . This policy mirrors the categories required by the federal laws.”
Adding any more categories would become too cumbersome, the company said.
The Unitarian Universalist Association had sponsored a shareholder proposal seeking the change, which was scheduled for a vote at the annual meeting on May 30.
In an e-mail message sent on May 11, Home Depot Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said the non-discrimination policy would be changed immediately, the Wall Street Journal reported.
“There has been some confusion about our position on non-discrimination of all associates,” Nardelli’s message said. “Therefore, we are clarifying our position, not only through our continued actions, but also through written policies.”