The shift in attitude comes after the former president Donald Trump withdrawn support for federal DEI programs, causing several multinational companies reassessment their approach to workplace equality. Skillcast, a compliance and DEI provider in the UK has reported an increase of 92 percent in interest for its’Protected Characteristics in Work‘guide.
Page views for the guide which details the DEI standards mandated by the UK Equality Act 2010 have increased significantly over the last month. The average amount of time spent on the page by users has increased from three to five minutes. The guide explains how to discriminate against people based on nine protected characteristics, such as race, gender and disability.
In the UK, unlike in the US where DEI policies have been revised or reversed by some companies, UK firms are still legally required to provide equal treatment for employees and comply with anti-discrimination laws.
Legal Compliance and Workplace Policy
Vivek D. Dodd, CEO at Skillcast said: “President Trump’s executive order, to cut federal DEI programs, which promoted opportunities to under-represented group, has led widespread corporate retreats regarding DEI standards and commitments. We’ve seen an increase in polarised messages that have left many companies unsure about the importance and process of DEI agendas going forward.
This shift could potentially lead to a decrease in employee morale and productivity.
The increased interest in DEI materials coincides with Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week which began on the 3rd of February. The UK Worker Protection Act last year strengthened workplace safeguards against sexual harassment, by introducing a duty on employers to take “reasonable measures” to prevent such behavior.
In a recent survey, only 48 percent of women surveyed believed that their employers had a policy clearly against sexual harassment. The workplace policies regarding menopause remain problematic. Menopausal symptoms are covered by laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender, age and in some cases disability. However, one out of ten women has left their job due to lack of support.
Dodd said, “While US companies are moving away DEI, UK businesses remain legally required to maintain and safeguard diversity standards under the Equality Act 2010, – stressing the importance of ethical compliance and legal compliance regardless of the current political climate.”
The Future of DEI at Work
As organisations continue to reassess, the debate about DEI policies will likely continue. The UK’s legal requirements remain the same, but the shift in corporate attitudes around the world raises concerns about the future of workplace efforts.
Dodd stated, “With the global spotlight shining on DEI, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week serves as a timely reminder about why it is important to have clear and enforced workplace policies and comply with equality standards. To ensure that all employees are protected against unfair treatment and exclusion or to address sexual harassment and discrimination surrounding menopause, robust DEI frameworks will be essential in creating a safer, supportive and trusted environment for each employee.
Maintaining DEI commitments is important for a company’s reputation, and it can also increase employee engagement.
He said that, “beyond ethical considerations and legal requirements, enforcing DEI Standards – especially in an era where these measures are scrutinised – effectively demonstrates a company’s commitment to fairness and resilience.” “By doing so, businesses set a standard for workplace culture that enhances their reputation with key stakeholders, employee engagement, retention and ability to recruit top talent.”
