Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: DEI
Are Your DE&I Strategies Keeping Up with the Times?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is undergoing significant changes in the business world. In short, some renowned, large-scale companies are shifting gears to minimize or mitigate their DE&I initiatives.
One large organization announced dropping the word “equity” from its DE&I strategy. Reports Axios, this intentional decision to focus on “Inclusion and Diversity” (I&D) rather than DE&I is both a strategic choice and a response to increasing societal polarization.
A quick sweep of recent news headlines reveals one large tech company is slashing its DE&I staff. Another large tractor supply company said it’s removing pronoun identification from its company policy. Elsewhere, a large bank faced a lawsuit after being accused of interviewing diverse candidates with no intention of hiring them, misleading both the candidates and investors about the company’s true DE&I efforts.
Greater Implications
As DE&I initiatives continue to evolve, companies must adapt to ongoing changes. While some companies are reducing their focus on DE&I, the core principles of DE&I still hold significant value. Professional development? It remains critical to uphold.
Some reasons include:
- A Gallup survey says race relations have hit a low, further complicating the effectiveness of traditional DE&I strategies.
- An Edelman survey reports two in three people are now concerned about systemic racism and racial injustice in the US.
- Additionally, Edelman reports one in two people report having experienced racism, which is a nine-percentage point increase over the past four years.
Why DE&I Matters
DE&I strategies can ensure inclusivity remains a key aspect of the workplace, promoting innovation and overall company performance. The key? These strategies must not just be nice-to-have check-box items. They must become woven into the organizational culture to ensure more employees feel safe, heard, valued, and listened to regarding what they need to thrive.
What Does This Look Like in Action?
At SAI360, we recognize the evolving needs of organizations regarding DE&I. Our professional development and Ethics & Compliance courses are designed to provide practical guidance on fostering inclusive environments.
Our courses include “DEI and Respect,” which offers practical guidance on fostering a culture of dignity, equity, inclusion, respect, and anti-harassment, “What Does Diversity Look Like?” a multimedia piece on the value of diversity in driving innovation and success, “Meeting Everyone’s Needs,” a microlearning module on the role of DE&I in creating a positive work culture, and “Empowering an Inclusive Environment,” an animated module focused on improving workplace communication and team dynamics.
What’s Next?
By staying adaptable, our courses ensure organizations can navigate the changing DE&I landscape effectively to meet legislative requirements, enhance workplace dynamics, and boost productivity.
Let’s Start a Conversation
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References
https://www.worklife.news/dei/shrm-decision/
https://www.axios.com/2024/07/15/hr-dei-diversity-equity-shrm
