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Execs Quietly Scale Back DEI Amid Global Backlash
10 Dec
Summary
- One in 10 Australian executives are reducing or dropping DEI initiatives.
- US-led 'anti-woke' backlash and Trump's election influenced Australian companies.
- Some firms changed DEI program language, fearing alienation of non-minority staff.
Major Australian businesses are diminishing their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in response to a global 'anti-woke' movement. A new report indicates that one in 10 senior leaders are either reducing DEI programs or discontinuing them entirely. This trend has been exacerbated by a perceived international shift following Donald Trump's election in the US, which executives believe 'opened the floodgates' for challenging local inclusion measures.
The backlash has also manifested in criticism of DEI language, with some leaders admitting that terms like 'white, pale, stale male' have been overly judgmental and alienating. This has contributed to a decline in support for LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts within workplaces. Concerns over growing hostility in public discourse have led some organizations to cease specific training, such as transgender inclusion, out of apprehension for their gender-diverse staff.
While many companies are softening their approach, some, like PwC Australia, are standing firm, emphasizing DEI's importance for business success. However, others are quietly reducing their emphasis on DEI, with some multinational organizations in Australia reporting overseas pressure to minimize inclusion efforts. This indicates a complex and evolving landscape for DEI in Australian workplaces, balancing global trends with local realities.
