It feels like there is a clear uptick in companies reducing investment in DE&I (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

18 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 8,2024 at 8:28PM UTC

   Budgets are tight everywhere and economy is a joke.

   I think this is low on priorities. Employers simply want people who can prove themselves- diverse or not.

2. JJMay 8,2024 at 11:11PM UTC

   Agree and many of the companies that jumped in on DEI were ill prepared to actually do DEI.

3. JJMay 8,2024 at 11:09PM UTC

   Review social media accounts of companies that you are interested in to see if they focus on it day-to-day.

4. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 1:34AM UTC

   I've been around the block for a while and have experienced all kinds of diversity training programs. The only benefit was the support groups that have been good for networking; the rest was window dressing.

   DEI is the latest iteration. Companies have been pouring a great deal of resources into DEI but the benefits have been questionable. Many DEI programs have focused on supporting employees of certain backgrounds (and excluding others), rather than fostering a culture of equality and teamwork.

   The best way to promote diversity in the workplace is to have leadership dedicated to creating a culture of acceptance and promoting women, minorities, etc. by leading through example.

5. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 1:53AM UTC

   The only way it works is if the CEO and directs all believe in it. Diversity yields better results over time and it’s not without work. Most small and medium sized companies are resource constrained and they don’t really have strong / experienced leaders to begin with. I can see why smaller companies struggle with driving real impact.

6. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 12:00PM UTC

   Generalities are harmful. Working for a global company it has not lessened at all but more ingrained in our mindset and processes. We don't need to scream DEI when that is our culture.

7. AnonymousMay 10,2024 at 1:09AM UTC

   I agree with you. I feel like those who strive to show case their DEIB initiatives are...basically...for show. DE&I, DEIB, D&I, etc. became trendy around COVID times. It was the 'in' thing to do. Companies realized it could be a great recruiting tool, would look good for investors, etc. But quite often it was all surface, and nothing below it.

8. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

   I am with you, as I am also looking for jobs with companies that emphasize DEI. What I do, is before hitting the "apply" button, I will check out the company's website and pay particular attention to its mission and vision statements. Publicly traded and nonprofit organizations are required to publish financial statements, so I will also study these. I apply if the company's mission and vision agree with mine and their financials are sound. If they don't exist or don't show that their people have to agree with things I don't, I pass.

9. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 1:54PM UTC

   I agree with the poster who said generalities are harmful....and they can be lazy, too. Please do some research before you criticize everyone.

   There are so many organizations that track corporate DEI efforts, like:

   Human Right Campaign Corporate Equality Index

   Fortune's Most Admired Companies

   Time's Most Influential Companies

   LinkedIn's Top Companies

   Hispanic IT Executive Council

   Bloomberg's Gender Equality Index

   Military Times

   Careers & the disABLED

   Working Mother magazine

   Black Enterprise

   Disability Equality Index

   Workplace PRIDE Benchmark

   Crain's

   Business Group on Health

10. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 2:14PM UTC

    This is a really helpful list. Thanks so much for posting it here.

11. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 2:14PM UTC

    I agree with the comments about not taking a generalized approach. I also believe the original question is very valid because it is all over mainstream media. Thanks for asking the original question because the list of organizations one of the posters put in this thread is actually really insightful and I'm not sure I would have known about this list if it wasn't for this thread.

    I also want to point to this recent article in The NY Times because I think it does a good job of summarizing the challenges and the new approach companies are taking.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/business/diversity-backlash-fortune-500-companies.html

12. AnonymousMay 9,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

    Have you been paying any attention to the politics in the US? Republicans are trying to kill DEI the same way they are destroying women's rights. Companies are following suit because in some states, Republicans are threatening them with punishment for even having DEI (see most public and private Universities). In other cases, it's become okay to Not care about disadvantaged classes. It's all about keeping white men in power and reducing POC and women to second class citizens.

    My advice, start paying attention and vote according to the world you want to live in. Don't buy into the one issue garbage.

13. AnonymousMay 10,2024 at 12:41PM UTC

    Not a huge fan of any President we’ve had in the past few years, but in reality DEI initiatives are decreasing for many reasons, under the current administration, and they are doing nothing to stop it. Also, this same administration is allowing many people from other countries into our country illegally, and taking funds and resources that are marked for underserved communities in various cities to support these individuals. I know because I live in one of these cities. You won’t see this highlighted on “mainstream media.” Wrong is done by all parties, not a specific party, because staying in power is what matters to all politicians. POC (and others, including Jews), are suffering under this current administration in many ways. Also, it isn’t just about reproductive rights, you know. It’s about being able to feed your children, afford a place to live and feel safe. Nobody feels that right now.

14. AnonymousMay 10,2024 at 3:27AM UTC

    With the present climate of belt tightening and budget slashing, many, many companies view DEI as an easy target to end as it would not directly impact the revenue of the company.

15. AnonymousMay 10,2024 at 4:02AM UTC

    Can you share some of the companies who have done this?

16. AnonymousMay 10,2024 at 1:03PM UTC

    Ummm because it was all performative. Care was never genuine. When my company opens the books and allows us to actually SEE compensation across the board for all roles, then I will believe them. That’s a start. Let me see if this black woman is compensated like a white person in the same position. I am not even slightly romanced by the few extra POC faces I see around the office since George Floyd was murdered and prompted the collective gasp and shock of white corporate America…as if they had no idea. Corporate America is corrupt and every day/year I witness how much my company lies about inclusion and equity. Oh yeah, I could pen an editorial on how big that lie is.

17. Gail Buckley CraneMay 11,2024 at 7:25PM UTC

    In other industries I have seen big push for a program (DEI, different management models) and this turns out to be a "flavor of the day" because "everyone's doing it" and gets quietly abandoned because the program was not implemented welI and was not really integrated with the organization's mission and values have seen this a lot in healthcare- Surgi-Centers, dropped in favor of Behavioral Health initiatives, dc/ing that initiative, buying and then divesting provider medical groups etc. Some upper-levels latch on to the latest and greatest without understanding the work it takes to achieve desired outcomes.

    Business is a pendulum and swings in both directions. My 2-cents after over 30 years in HC.

18. AnonymousMay 13,2024 at 1:55PM UTC

    You are full of shit. Go ahead and vote for the Republicans if you think they are going to do a better job of supporting a government that is punishing civilians for being the wrong religion but whatever. Destroy our democracy for the sake of people you don't actually give a shit about.