Introduction to Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion
The move for diversity, justice, and inclusion (DEI) is facing a significant challenge, particularly in the United States. Large US companies, including the parent company of Facebook, Alphabet of Google, the carmaker Ford, and the coffee giant Starbucks, have withdrawn their diversity programs. This trend is not limited to US companies, as several European companies that do business with the United States have also been asked to confirm that they no longer support these programs.
Impact on German Companies
In Germany, some companies have begun to fold under the pressure. The car manufacturer Volkswagen (VW) and the telecommunications giant Deutsche Telekom have indicated plans to either attribute or end their diversity initiatives in the United States. The software manufacturer SAP has gone away from the gender quotas in Germany. However, many German companies remain committed to diversity, with over 6,000 companies and institutions signing the Charter of Diversity, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Commitment to Diversity
Despite the counter-reaction, some US companies remain committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. Apple continues to promote a diverse corporate culture, with a message on its website stating, "Because we are not all the same. And that remains one of our greatest strengths." The software giant Microsoft and the US membership-based retailer Costco Wholesale have also confirmed their support for DEI initiatives. In fact, according to Cawa Younosi, managing director of the Charter of Diversity initiative, about 75% of companies in the United States have not changed their diversity programs.
The Long Struggle for Diversity
The efforts to support marginalized groups are not new, with US law banning discrimination at work based on race, religion, sex, color, or national origin since 1964. However, the current US President has argued that "Woke" policies like DEI are discriminatory and has given an executive order to end DEI programs in federal institutions. This move has sparked fear among minorities, with many worrying that the progress made so far will be reversed.
Possibility of Diversity without Designated Programs
The question remains whether diversity is possible without designated programs. Christian Klein, CEO of SAP, said that he is still planning to pursue and expand diversity initiatives within the company, even though it has given up the gender quota. However, researchers like Siri Chilazi argue that there is no historical precedent that indicates that racist and gender-specific imbalances correct themselves. In Germany, laws alone have not guaranteed the inclusion of the workplace for people with disabilities, with many companies opting to pay a remuneration tax instead.
Company "Rebranding and Reorganization"
DEI programs in the United States may not really disappear, but instead, companies may rename and reorganize them to escape potential complaints. According to Michelle Jolivet, companies are not really eliminating their DEI programs, but rather rebranding and reorganizing them. In fact, Germany’s Diversity Charter said that around 75% of US companies have not actually changed their DEI guidelines. Michael Eger, a partner at the German consultancy Mercer Germany, has found that companies can change their communication, but remain largely the same. Even in industries that are exposed to workers, more initiatives are being launched to attract women, people with a migrant background, and older workers.
