Spirit AeroSystems has been ordered by Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, to provide documents related to manufacturing defects that caused the grounding of several Boeing planes as well as information on the company’s decision to terminate whistleblower Joshua Dean after he reported these defects. Additionally, Paxton’s request for information has raised concerns about the possible link between Spirit’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy and recent dangerous incidents.
Spirit’s spokesman, Joe Buccino, stated that while they do not comment on investigations, the company is committed to delivering high-quality products to all their customers including Boeing. However, this commitment does not mean they agree with conservative policymakers and influencers who blame diversity initiatives for corporate failures.
In his order, Paxton demanded evidence from Spirit supporting their claim that a diverse workplace improves product quality and enhances performance. He also asked for an explanation of how employee demographics in terms of race, national origin, sexual orientation, and age have changed since the implementation of their DEI policy in 2022. Four out of Paxton’s 14 demands for information specifically focus on Spirit’s diversity and hiring programs. This development is part of a larger conversation about the role of DEI policies in corporate operations with some arguing they could be potential causes for certain issues within companies.
