Home improvement chain Lowe’s is scaling back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, joining the ranks of a few other companies who have altered their programs since the end of affirmative action in higher education and amid conservative backlash online.

The pandemic crushed the economy, but it was no match for CEO pay, which rose again last year.

FILE - Starbucks COO Roz Brewer talks about the proposed redesign of a Starbucks store in New Jersey as she speaks Wednesday, March 20, 2019, during the company's annual shareholders meeting in Seattle. Walgreens has tapped Roz Brewer as its new CEO, which will make her the only Black woman currently leading a Fortune 500 company. Brewer will take over as Walgreens CEO on March 15, 2021 after a little more than three years as Starbucks' chief operating officer. At Starbucks, Brewer revamped stores, taking out clutter and cutting down on administrative work so employees could focus on customers and speed up service. Prior to joining Starbucks, Brewer served as president and CEO of Sam’s Club, the members-only warehouse channel of Walmart Inc. She also grew membership and improved merchandise there.

Black lives matter. At the same time, companies must consider whether it makes sense for them to weigh in, especially on an issue as sensitive as race. Media giant ViacomCBS tweeted Black Lives Matter. Expressing solidarity with the Black Lives Movement is the right message, but everyone is jumping in on that bandwagon, said Allen Adamson, co-founder and managing partner of Metaforce a marketing and product consultancy. Each of these black lives matter.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lowe’s Companies, Inc. announced that all stores and distribution centers in the United States and Canada will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 12. A release said this is a “thank you” to the associates who have worked tirelessly to support communities during COVID-19 pandemic. “Our ability to support communities with essential goods and services during this pandemic is thanks to our outstanding, dedicated associates,” said Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s president and CEO. “We want to provide our teams with a much-deserved day off to spend Easter Sunday with their families and loved ones and recharge. I want to personally thank our 300,000 associates who have helped families stay safely at home.

Lowe's is laying off thousands of workers. It said that workers whose jobs are being eliminated will be given transition pay and have the opportunity to apply for open roles at Lowe's. Lowe's operates more than 1,700 stores in the United States. Previously, Lowe's closed 20 US stores, exited its Mexico business and shut down its 99 Orchard Supply Hardware stores in the United States. Unlike many department stores and mall-based retailers, Lowe's, Home Depot and home improvement retailers have not made mass store closures.