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How corporate America is slashing DEI workers amid backlash to diversity programs

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Summary

The death of George Floyd in 2020 shone a spotlight on societal inequities, prompting companies to hire DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) professionals to help address these issues. However, DEI professionals have been disproportionately hit by layoffs since late 2020, with one in three DEI professionals losing their roles over a one-year period. This is partly due to a sluggish economy, a softening of scrutiny surrounding racial justice, and a rise of conservative backlash against DEI initiatives. Additionally, some states have banned diversity offices in state-funded higher education institutions and prohibited state or federal spending on DEI programs. Without DEI policies, companies may struggle to hire diverse candidates, understand the needs of a diverse customer base, and may miss out on the benefits of having a more diverse workplace.

Q&As

What impact did the death of George Floyd have on DEI professionals?
The death of George Floyd prompted a nationwide movement in which protesters demanded individuals and organizations alike take action in addressing societal injustices that impact historically marginalized groups. This led to an increase in the hiring of DEI professionals.

How did the job postings for diversity, inclusion and belonging positions change from 2019 to 2020?
Job postings for diversity, inclusion and belonging positions on the hiring website Indeed rose by 56.3% from September 2019 to September 2020.

What could be some consequences of companies slashing DEI programs?
Companies slashing DEI programs could face difficulty hiring candidates from underrepresented groups and understanding the needs of a diverse customer base. It could also lead to an unhealthy or exclusive work culture that drives away diverse candidates, employees and customers alike.

What have some elected officials done to target DEI initiatives?
Elected officials such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have targeted DEI initiatives. DeSantis signed into law a bill that prohibits state or federal spending on DEI programs at public universities in Florida. Abbott's office ordered state agencies to stop using diversity, equity and inclusion programs in hiring, and Abbott signed a ban on diversity offices in state-funded higher education institutions.

What effects can workplace affirmative action bans have on diversity in the workplace?
Workplace affirmative action bans can negatively impact diversity in the workplace, leading to a decrease in the number of Black women, Latino men and Asian women working there, and an increase in the number of white men in the workplaces.

AI Comments

👍 This article does an excellent job of highlighting the importance of DEI initiatives and the potential consequences of cutting them. It also demonstrates that companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion are more innovative and profitable.

👎 This article fails to provide any viable solutions to the problem of DEI positions being cut, leaving the reader feeling helpless. Additionally, it fails to recognize the potential limitations of DEI initiatives and the need for more nuanced approaches.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how corporate America is cutting DEI workers despite the push for more diversity initiatives. It looks at the impact this has on DEI professionals who are losing their jobs, as well as the implications this could have for businesses who are failing to diversify their workforce. It's quite worrying.

Friend: Wow, that's really concerning. It sounds like businesses are going against what they claimed to support in terms of diversity and inclusion.

Me: Yeah, it's really concerning and it's going to create a lot of issues. Not only will businesses miss out on the benefits of having a diverse workforce, but it will also create an atmosphere of mistrust and exclusion. It could also create a chilling effect for DEI professionals who speak up about DEI initiatives or those who suggest ambitious reform.

Action items

Research the impact of affirmative action bans on workplace diversity.
Reach out to DEI professionals to understand their experiences and perspectives.
Develop a plan to ensure that DEI initiatives are implemented in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Technical terms

DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Affirmative Action: A diversity initiative that allows employers to consider race as one factor in hiring.
White Supremacy: A belief that white people are superior to people of other races.
AI: Artificial Intelligence.