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Fin24 reports that Dis-Chem has done an about turn and has withdrawn an internal memorandum to staff from its founder and CEO Ivan Saltzman that called for a moratorium on hiring white people at the group.
The pharmaceutical retailer, whose original memo was aimed at improving its employment equity targets, said in a "communique" from its board that it regretted offending staff and customers, and vowed to improve internal processes around what it communicated in the future. In the memo to senior management dated 19 September, Saltzman had announced the moratorium, which included external appointments and internal promotions. After initially standing by the memo on Friday, the company said on Monday it regretted the "wording and tone" of the memo, adding it had "been erroneously widely shared". "We acknowledge that it did not reflect our values. Its release did not follow our correct internal vetting processes and steps have been put in place to ensure that, going forward, relevant checks and balances are thoroughly duly performed," the company indicated. It said that "more importantly" it regretted the "offence and distress it caused to so many people, including our staff and millions of loyal customers", adding it valued all its employees and appreciated their contribution to the group. In Monday’s statement, the group said it stood by "the unequivocal imperative to continue our transformation journey", adding that "equality, diversity and inclusivity are important throughout Dis-Chem".
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nick Wilson at Fin24
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