Groups warn organisations of 'long-term consequences on business success' in abandoning DEI
Civil rights organisations in the United States are calling on Fortune 1000 companies to "stand up against anti-inclusion extremism" amid growing opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the US.
Nineteen civil rights organisations, including the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, NAACP, and GLAAD, signed a letter addressing CEOs and board members of Fortune 1000 to defend DEI practices "unequivocally."
"We call on business leaders to speak out publicly, defending decades-long, pro-business decisions to support inclusion. Your trusted voices together will future proof the business community against anti-business, politically motivated extremists," the letter read.
The joint statement comes after various companies in the US, such as Tractor Supply and Harley-Davidson, unveiled decisions to divest from their DEI strategies in the wake of backlash on social media.
But the civil rights organisations attributed the backlash to a "small, well-funded, and extreme group of right-wing activists."
According to the organisations, surrendering to what this group wants by divesting from DEI will weaken businesses and the American economy.
"These shortsighted decisions make our workplaces less safe and less inclusive for hard-working Americans. Meanwhile, this exposes businesses to legal risk by increasing the likelihood of bias and discrimination within organisations," the letter read.
"Hastily abandoning efforts that ensure fair, safe, and inclusive work environments is bad for business, unpopular, and unwise."
DEI and impact on business
The letter further warned that businesses that abandon DEI will experience "long-term consequences on business success."
It cited the workforce's support for DEI measures, as well as the risk of alienating diverse consumer segments, including women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.
"To be clear, women workers, people of colour and disabled workers aren't making political statements when they show up to work and ask for equal policies, benefits, and treatment," the letter read.
"By abandoning best-practice programmes to support these workers, you not only capitulate to political forces and disregard what's good for your bottom line, but you introduce risks of discrimination and bias within your employees and your company."
The full list of organisations that signed the letter include:
- Advocates for Trans Equality
- American Association of People with Disabilities
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice
- Asians Fighting Injustice
- Colour Of Change
- Family Equality
- GLAAD
- GLSEN
- Human Rights Campaign Foundation
- League of United Latin American Citizens
- NAACP
- National Action Network
- National Organization for Women
- National Partnership for Women & Families
- National Urban League
- National Women's Law Centre
- PFLAG National
- SAGE
- UnidosUS
