Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts are increasingly part of the national debate. For a majority of employed U.S. adults (56%), the increased effort on workplace DEI in recent years has been a good thing, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. However, public opinions about DEI vary widely, and when it comes to workplace DEI, we see a clear bifurcation across organizations.

• We see leaders who are doubling down on their DEI efforts, believing that there is real value and benefits from their focus on DEI that went into high gear after the 2020 George Floyd murder. They see themselves as being on the right side of history and have set out to take a stand, to the extent allowed by law, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in university admissions and various mandates to stop or scale back DEI initiatives in some regions. These leaders tell us that they are using this opportunity to differentiate themselves as true champions and allies of DEI, which they believe benefits hiring, retention and engagement of their top talent, and their business outcomes.
• We also work with leaders who see this time as another cycle, as many cycles before since the 60’s, and are seizing the opportunity to dial down their DEI efforts to save costs and prioritize other initiatives. This position is understandable, given the many challenges and uncertainties organizations, and HR leaders in particular, have had to deal with in recent years ranging from the pandemic and the hybrid workplace, to the great resignation, labor and supply chain issue, and significant inflation to mention a few. These organizations, which span various industries and sizes, are eliminating their DEI positions, laying off their DEI staff, and canceling or delaying their planned investments in workplace culture and DEI.

Join us with Sonya Sepahban, CEO of OurOffice, Inc., facilitating a discussion with Deanna Smith, Civil Rights Officer at Monterey-Salinas Transit and Ignacio Bonel, EVP Strategy & Supply Chain Management at AM General. We will discuss the two sides of the ongoing discussion around DEI and will answer questions live.

Executives and leaders, as well as HR and DEI professionals, champions and allies across industries and organizations of any type and size, will benefit from learning about the following at this webinar:

• A historical view of DEI in the workplace: What are “DEI cycles” anyway?
• The state of DEI in the workplace today: A review of recent years’ DEI efforts, the associated costs and results to date.
• The future of DEI and why it matters: The key factors that are likely to drive organizations to “DEI or not to DEI”

We look forward to seeing you at the webinar.