Recently, companies such as Meta, Amazon have been scaling back DEI initiatives.
What is meant by Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives?
- DEI is an umbrella term used to describe policies and initiatives that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. E.g. Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation etc.
Significance of DEI at Workplace
- Non-discrimination: It is a fundamental human right essential for quality employment and worker welfare.
- Business development: It promotes creativity and innovation, broadens talent attraction and retention, increases employee engagement and enhances reputation
Impact of scaling back of DEI initiatives
- Promotes inherent biases: Lack of DEI may result in homogenization of perspectives leading to biases. E.g. Algorithmic Biases in AI
- Workplace discrimination: Employees may face discrimination in access to opportunities, promotion etc.
Initiatives promoting DEI
- Principle 6 of 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact: Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
- National workplace quotas/targets applied on gender and disability. E.g. Austria, Germany
