A recent Human Rights Campaign (HRC) survey revealed that nearly 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ employees would consider quitting or looking for new jobs if their employer rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The survey, conducted among over 2,400 LGBTQ+ adults, found that 72% of respondents said they would feel less included or accepted in their workplace if such changes were made. This highlights the critical role DEI initiatives play in fostering a sense of belonging within organizations.
In addition to workplace sentiment, the survey also explored consumer behavior, revealing that 80% of respondents would boycott a company that reduced its DEI efforts. Many would also take active measures to encourage others to join them in these boycotts, including posting negative reviews and using social media to spread their message. This suggests that scaling back DEI programs can have serious implications not only for employee morale but also for a company’s reputation and customer base.
Over the summer months, several high-profile brands—including Lowe’s, John Deere, Ford, Harley Davidson, and Brown-Forman (the company behind Jack Daniel’s whiskey)—announced cuts to their DEI programs. The specifics of these rollbacks varied, but common trends included discontinuing policies that linked executive compensation to DEI-related goals and scaling back identity-based employee resource groups (ERGs) and DEI training programs.
Another major move from these companies was their decision to stop voluntarily participating in the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which scores businesses on their LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts. While participation in the index is typically voluntary, HRC still ranks all Fortune 500 companies, regardless of whether they actively engage with the CEI process. Companies that opt out of participation will still receive a score, but their rating is likely to be lower. According to Lauren Gray, HRC’s Senior VP of Communications and Brand, these lower scores could lead to significant workforce and financial consequences.
In conclusion, the rollback of DEI programs by major companies risks alienating not only employees but also consumers. With strong sentiment from the LGBTQ+ community against these reductions, companies may face challenges in maintaining a positive work environment and customer loyalty if they continue down this path.
