Diversity refers not only to similarities and differences linked to personal characteristics such as age, disability, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation and people living with HIV but also similarities and differences such as values, workstyles, caring responsibilities, hierarchical levels and work roles. Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout business operations is an important step in tackling inequality and eliminating discrimination worldwide. In Australian workplaces, DEI initiatives primarily address gender and Indigenous inclusion, while comparatively less emphasis is placed on disability, LGBTQ+, and socio-economic diversity. Corinne Gray has argued that, “If you embrace diversity, but ignore disability, you’re doing it wrong.” A 2007 study of 829 companies over 31 years showed “no positive effects in the average workplace” from diversity training, while the effect was negative where it was mandatory. Political opposition to corporate DEI efforts in the United States, particularly marketing criticized as “woke”, have led to calls for boycotts of certain companies by activists and politicians; with notable examples being Disney, Target, Anheuser-Busch, and Chick-fil-A.
Since then conservative activists organized in the states to dismantle race-conscious policies in various aspects of the economy. U.S. District Judge Gallagher would join two other federal judges who blocked the initiatives behind the DEI ban on April 24, 2025, ruling it as unconstitutionally vague. The Department of Education sent out certification letters on April 3, 2025 that schools across North America have 10 days to return in order to maintain federal financial assistance.
The term “DEI”, when used as a term to disparage people (particularly Black Americans), has been described as an ethnic slur. Writing for The Conversation in 2017, college professor Stephen Friedman said that, “Organizations who are serious about DEI must adopt the frame of producing shared value where business and social goods exist side-by-side”.