Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has been around for decades and gained momentum across the country after protests and riots occurred in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in May 2020. In the workplace, DEI is considered to be any policy or practice that ensures employees receive fair treatment and feel welcome, regardless of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability.
Proponents of DEI argue that these policies create a welcoming environment, allowing employees to perform to their fullest capacities while working their jobs. However, on the other side, critics argue that DEI is racist and should be banned because it gives some people an unfair advantage based on race or gender.
According to the Society of Human Resource Management, DEI-related jobs increased 55% from June to August 2020. However, in 2024, DEI professionals are losing their jobs as many corporations slash DEI roles. Companies like Amazon, Nike, Comcast and Wayfair have all laid off DEI professionals since 2022.
So, why are corporations getting rid of DEI positions or outsourcing them to consultants? Some argue that a shift happened after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action for college and university admissions in June 2023.
In response, 13 Republican state attorneys general used the ruling as an opportunity to warn companies off DEI practices. They sent a letter to Fortune 500 companies, threatening legal action and urging them to reconsider their diversity policies.
“We write to remind you of your obligations as an employer under federal and state law to refrain from discriminating on the basis of race, whether the label of ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ or otherwise,” the letter stated. “Treating people differently because of the color of their skin, even for benign purposes, is unlawful and wrong.”
In response, 21 Democratic attorneys general wrote the same companies, urging them to double down, stating that “there is still much more work to be done.”
While some companies have laid off DEI workers, others have indeed doubled down on commitments to diversity.
United Airlines’ CEO Scott Kirby announced that he wants United pilots to be more diverse. He said he wants United’s flight academy classes to be made up of 50% women or people of color.
Additionally, Macy’s said it would continue to strive to achieve 30% ethnically diverse hires at the senior director level and above by 2025.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a new strategic enforcement plan for fiscal years 2024-2028, stating that it “will support employer efforts to implement lawful and appropriate diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) practices that proactively identify and address barriers to equal employment opportunity, help employers cultivate a diverse pool of qualified workers and foster inclusive workplaces.”
Meanwhile, congressional Republicans have introduced the Dismantle DEI Act “to eliminate all federal DEI programs” and cut off funding for agencies, schools, contractors and organizations that hold on to DEI policies. The Republicans said they want to unwind Biden’s DEI policies by terminating chief diversity officers, closing DEI offices, ending DEI in the workforce and outlawing mandatory employee DEI pledges.
