Decline in C-suite support for DEI efforts
According to a press release by DDI, a research firm, there has been an 18% decline in C-suite support for company-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts over the past two years. The report also indicates that the number of companies not offering DEI programs has increased from 15% to 20% in the same period.
As a result, many leaders, particularly women and those from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds, are questioning their company’s commitment to inclusion and belonging. DDI’s Center for Analytics and Behavioral Research Director, Stephanie Neal, expressed concerns about this trend.
Experts in labor and DEI are struggling to determine whether the foundation laid in 2020 remains solid, with reports from Glassdoor and Gartner suggesting that progress has stalled. Although the number of diversity and inclusion initiatives cataloged by Glassdoor increased from 29% in 2019 to 43% in 2021, it dipped slightly to 41% in 2022. Similarly, a Gartner report in January suggested that leaders lack enthusiasm in adopting inclusion-focused values, with DEI leaders expressing frustration at the lack of buy-in from business leaders.
In light of these developments, labor experts have suggested that HR managers can draw out the connection between inclusion and belonging and employee engagement to encourage business leaders to recommit to DEI efforts.
