People across the world should want and have ideals of supporting diversity and inclusion. It’s basic human decency and what America specifically has always struggled with–so why are people still supporting companies who are openly removing their support for it? Companies have been rolling back on their DEI programs. People shouldn’t support those companies anymore.
The DEI policy means Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This policy is an organizational framework that seeks to promote fair treatment and full participation from everyone regardless of gender or race. Eliminating policies and behaviors that are biased within the workplace. Some of these behaviors could include prejudice towards employees, it could be a promotion by management being overlooked, and hiring someone unfit. Often workplace culture has been an issue with conformity bias, and bullying of certain workers based on gender or race. One battle that still exists is the deep-seated gender bias of men receiving more favorable outcomes than women. Based on an AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) study, ageism (discriminating against people who are of a certain age) is playing a role in these behaviors as well. This study showed roughly 60% of workers who were 45 years or older had experienced this bias during recruitment, hiring, and retaining jobs.
The DEI has been in play since the 1960’s and was a direct response to the civic and social injustice movement. Companies who are keeping their DEI policies include Costco, Apple and Delta. All of these organizations recognize the importance of inclusive workplaces and a diverse customer base.
Compared to the companies that are rolling back on their DEI, Target, Ford, and Amazon. Some argue that it has begun to feel like a loss of control and that there’s been a misunderstanding of the virtue of “colorblindness.” And somehow a common belief that social equality has already been addressed. However, it’s clear that social inequality is still a huge issue and has never been truly solved, let alone addressed. And it does more harm than good.
Fully being able to stop companies and large corporations is difficult, but the least we can do is have an open conversation about it and address what’s going on. Many people aren’t even aware this is happening, and ignoring these changes can hinder creativity, innovation, and comradery. Ignorance towards the struggles in the workplace shows how out of touch people are and the refusal to move forward as people.
