Despite those conservative attacks, most Americans approve of companies taking steps to address the historic inequalities in their ranks, according to a poll from The Washington Post and Ipsos. Roughly 6 in 10 Americans said that diversity, equity and inclusion programs are “a good thing” — and support was even higher for specific programs such as internships for underrepresented groups and anti-bias trainings. The level of support differed among racial groups, and one effort was universally unpopular: financial incentives for managers who achieve diversity goals.
The poll of 2,274 Americans, including 1,371 workers, highlights the disparity between the generally positive public perception of corporate DEI programs and their status as a political target at a moment when companies are quietly reassessing their policies and shifting their approaches to DEI with a focus on limiting legal risk.
The public’s support for programs used to increase racial diversity in the workplace remained steady over the past year, despite the legal onslaught such programs are facing. Last year, 62 percent of Americans said efforts to increase racial diversity in workplaces were a good thing, according to a Post-Ipsos poll.
“I do believe that the vast majority of peoples’ values align with what this work actually entails,” Joelle Emerson, chief executive of DEI Consultancy Paradigm, said. But the concept of DEI might need some rebranding, she said.
“The DEI acronym does have a lot of baggage with it,” Emerson said.
Many Americans don’t fully understand the broader implications of the practice, said Ryan P. Williams, president of the Claremont Institute, a conservative think thank that has helped organize the national campaign against DEI.
“Most people generically aren’t against diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Williams. But he said there needs to a bigger conversation about how to achieve a more equal society as well as the ideology behind DEI initiatives.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the poll and where DEI programs stand across the country.
