Corporate America seems to be losing its taste for diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal.
DEI measures in corporate America are on a downward trend, as many workers say they’ve become apathetic about the push for diversity in the workplace.
Sarah Sharp, a human resources executive with the Tennesee-based home builder Clayton, told the Wall Street Journal that while some workers have expressed a desire for a more diverse workforce, many have suggested that the company should “stop being so woke.”
According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, only 32 percent of American workers believe that an ethnically-diverse workplace is “very important.” Another 38 percent said it was “not too important” or “not at all important.”
Pew also found that only 26 percent of American workers think it is “very important” to have an “equal mix of men and women,” while 44 percent said it was not important.
But it isn’t just workers who are turning on DEI. Even human resource executives seem to be dialing back the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
According to the Journal, a recent Gallup survey found that the number of human resources heads who plan to increase DEI budgets in the next year dropped by 25 points from last year, falling from 84 percent in 2022 to only 59 percent this year.
Jonathan McBride, the DEI chief for recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles, told the Wall Street Journal that he is concerned that the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on race-based college admission could have an impact on company hiring policies.
Additionally, the so-called “woke” push among American companies could harm their bottom line.
In recent months, several major corporations and brands, including Bud Light, Target, and Kohl’s, lost billions in their attempts to appeal to the so-called “LBGT community.”
