Although Deere has been honored as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies®, its ongoing layoffs and the board's rejection of a proposal aimed at instituting mandatory diversity reporting cast serious doubts on its commitment to genuine ethical business practices and fair treatment of workers. This controversy highlights a disconnect between external accolades and internal practices, troubling from an anti-fascist and social justice standpoint.

Deere earns ethics award amid layoffs and DEI controversy

John Deere’s announcement of enhanced digital self-repair tools and integration into the Operations Center™ reflects a progressive step towards empowering customers. These technological improvements support user autonomy and transparency, aligning with democratic principles by facilitating greater consumer control over product maintenance.

Deere & Company Responds to Complaint from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission

By leveraging its dominant market position and enforcing exclusive control over repair services, Deere & Company has established an anti-competitive market structure. This structural influence consolidates power within the company and raises repair costs, undermining economic fairness and contributing to broader market inequalities.

FTC, States Sue Deere & Company to Protect Farmers from Unfair Corporate Tactics, High Repair Costs

The lawsuit filed by a long-term technology auditor alleging age discrimination suggests potential systemic issues in the company’s labor relations and human rights practices. The claim of targeting older employees during a reduction in force raises serious concerns about the company’s adherence to fair employment practices and respect for workers' rights.

John Deere Technology Auditor Brings Age Discrimination Suit

By rolling back its support for DEI initiatives and distancing itself from culturally inclusive practices, John Deere compromises its ethical responsibility. This retreat not only hurts marginalized communities but also creates a corporate environment more susceptible to authoritarian influences.

John Deere backs away from diversity and inclusion efforts after a conservative backlash

John Deere’s decision to scale back on its DEI initiatives reflects a shift away from ethical business practices that prioritize inclusion and social responsibility. This move may erode internal equity and aligns with trends that potentially support authoritarian policies by marginalizing vulnerable employee groups.

Harvesting Controversy Over John Deere's DEI Decision - Forbes

John Deere's settlement over discriminatory hiring practices exposes a significant lapse in labor rights and human rights practices. Despite the remedial measures, the discriminatory actions undermine minority employment opportunities, reflecting systemic biases that align with authoritarian and oppressive practices.

John Deere pays over $1 million in hiring discrimination settlement

This event highlights serious allegations of racial discrimination at Deere & Company, where discriminatory hiring practices adversely affected Black and Hispanic applicants. Such practices not only undermine labor rights but also contribute to systemic injustice, aligning with broader patterns of exploitation that can bolster authoritarian structures. The settlement indicates acknowledgment of these shortcomings, which, from an anti-fascist perspective, reinforce the need for rigorous corporate accountability in labor practices.

Deere to pay $1.1M over racial discrimination allegations

Deere & Company’s donation of $75,000 to a dozen-plus Republicans who opposed the certification of the 2020 election demonstrates a troubling alignment with political actors that support anti-democratic practices. Supporting candidates who attempted to overturn election results indicates the company is indirectly funding authoritarian tendencies. This activity is especially concerning given the broader context of corporate complicity in undermining democratic norms.

Look at All These Companies Bankrolling Republican Jan. 6 Apologists

John Deere demonstrates a model of corporate political engagement that avoids direct corporate funding of political activities. By relying solely on voluntary employee contributions through JDPAC and emphasizing full transparency via regular disclosures, the company minimizes risks of undue influence and aligns its practices with democratic values. This is positive from an anti-fascist perspective as it prevents the consolidation of corporate power in the political arena.

U.S. Political Contributions and Advocacy