Public Support For DEI Persists In The US, Despite Corporate And Political Backlash

Public Support For DEI Persists In The US, Despite Corporate And Political Backlash

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has long been a divisive issue in the US, and the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to end affirmative action in collegiate admissions has only heightened the controversy. In the year since that ruling, we have seen several businesses take actions to de-risk, or greatly reduce, some of their DEI-related initiatives. For example, in late 2023, law firms Morrison Foerster and Perkins Coie opened their diversity fellowship programmes to applicants of all races, while technology firms like Google, Meta and Zoom downsized programmes related to DEI. Additionally, in April 2024, the University of Texas at Austin cut approximately 60 employees due to a Texas bill that bans DEI offices in state universities.

In the wake of these actions, a recent poll conducted by The Washington Post and Ipsos finds that many Americans think favourably of DEI initiatives. According to the poll, approximately 60% of Americans think that DEI programmes are, generally, “a good thing”. Interestingly, the poll found that more Americans – close to 70% – approved of DEI programmes when they were provided with a definition of what a DEI programme is, showing a general knowledge gap surrounding the acronym itself. Specific DEI initiatives – such as mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups, anti-bias training and internships for underrepresented groups – received even more support.

It is not surprising that some respondents didn’t fully understand the concept behind the term ‘DEI’, as the phrase can mean different things to different people – and can get associated with a certain political affiliation. A similar trend also occurred with the term ‘ESG’. A 2023 survey by Global Strategy Group and SEC Newgate found that almost 80% of Americans were not familiar with the term ESG or what the acronym actually means, but that specific ESG factors did factor into their purchasing decisions.

Firms should consider these poll results as another reason to maintain initiatives that focus on DEI. However, with the current legal and political climate in the US, businesses first need to carefully review their DEI programmes and policies to ensure they are compliant with applicable regulations. Organizations should then ensure that they are collecting and tracking DEI data so that they can improve their performance. Decision-makers can then look for ways to educate and communicate performance to various stakeholders, which will not only help to inform consumers, but also help attract and retain employees.

To learn about how firms can help develop and strengthen DEI programmes, see Strategic Focus: How Consulting Services Support ESG-Aligned Social Performance. For more information on digital solutions to help collect and track DEI-related data, see Smart Innovators: Social Impact Solutions.