Best Buy faces boycott over biased leadership training program.

Best Buy Faces Backlash Over Hiring Practices

Best⁢ Buy, a major U.S. brand, ⁤is now facing a boycott similar to the ‍one Bud Light experienced.⁢ Critics are accusing the company of promoting a far-left agenda in its hiring practices.

“A Citizen ⁢Journalist has revealed Best Buy ​is partnering with‍ McKinsey & Company on a management training program,” wrote James O’Keefe, the investigative journalist formerly of Project Veritas, on social media. “The program is not open to white applicants.”

While Best Buy‍ has not commented on the memo, it outlines opportunities for workers to advance in the company’s management if they meet certain qualifications.

“We’re excited to‍ announce ‌awesome news about the McKinsey professional⁣ development programs! As a ⁣part of Best Buy’s commitment to develop ​and support our employees, we’ve partnered ⁢with McKinsey & Company to offer the McKinsey Leadership programs,” ‍it says. “These professional development programs customize its⁣ curriculum and discussions to ​the unique situations, experiences and opportunities of⁤ diverse professionals.”

However, the alleged memo states‌ that in order to qualify for the ⁣program, employees must be black, Hispanic, Asian, or Pacific Islander. They also need to have worked at Best Buy for more than a year and be in a salaried⁣ role.

In July 2022, Best Buy announced a⁤ diversity‍ push on its website, aiming⁤ to create “diverse leaders” and develop a “diverse workforce.”

“Our main⁢ focus through⁣ the collaboration of the cohorts is⁤ to create a space ⁣where everyone feels valued and included,” said Georgia⁤ Vahoua, Best Buy’s senior manager of strategic initiatives, inclusion, and diversity. “In addition to the core leadership and management skills that are learned, each ⁣cohort also provides a‍ strong networking opportunity for its members that lasts long after the program ends.”

Best Buy has partnered with McKinsey & Company, a consulting company known for its involvement in controversies, to ⁤offer the McKinsey Management Accelerator ‍program.

“As ‌part of Best Buy’s commitment to develop and support our employees who identify as black, indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), we’ve ‌partnered with McKinsey & Company to offer the‌ McKinsey Management Accelerator program,” states Best Buy’s website. “The McKinsey ⁣Management ⁢Accelerator program focuses on professional career development by customizing its curriculum and discussions to the unique situations, experiences and opportunities of‌ BIPOC professionals.”

Best Buy initially introduced ⁣the McKinsey⁣ Accelerator Program in 2020 for black ‍employees and has since expanded it to include Asian, Hispanic, and Latino workers.

McKinsey & Company‍ also emphasizes its⁣ commitment to addressing climate change on its website.

“A healthy society ⁤depends ⁢on a healthy planet, and climate change‌ is ⁢putting both at risk. That’s why, in⁣ addition to ⁤serving clients and ⁤sharing insights, ‍McKinsey has committed to‍ achieving net-zero climate impact by 2030,” the site says. “We’re not⁤ alone on our journey ⁣to ‌help build a more‍ sustainable and inclusive future, and there will be challenges—but we all need to do more, together.”

Calls for⁤ Boycott

Following James O’Keefe’s post, social media users have‌ called for a ‌boycott of Best Buy, similar to the ones that⁤ targeted Bud⁤ Light and Target‍ in the past. ⁣Bud Light experienced a significant decline in sales after engaging in a promotional campaign with a transgender activist.

“Best Buy‍ [expletive] on White men. I’m done with‌ them forever,” wrote⁣ “Dilbert” cartoonist and political commentator⁢ Scott Adams. Harmeet Dhillon, former California GOP leader and prominent lawyer, suggested that the policies outlined in the‍ alleged Best Buy memo “seem illegal.”

America⁢ First Legal has ‍encouraged Best Buy employees who may have faced discrimination to reach out to the legal group.