Resume.org revealed the results of a January 2025 survey of 1,000 business leaders associated with companies that had a DEI program in 2024 and confirmed they are knowledgeable about the company’s current and future DEI plans. Among the key takeaways:
Modest Retraction
Of companies with DEI programs in 2024, 5% have eliminated them and 8% are reducing the budget.
- Among companies that have maintained or reduced their DEI budgets, 4% report being very likely and 7% say they are somewhat likely to eliminate their DEI programs in 2025, while nearly one-fifth are uncertain.
- Of those that don’t anticipate elimination of their DEI programs in 2025, 8% of respondents indicate their company is very or somewhat likely to phase out the program within the next four years.
- Bases for reducing or eliminating DEI programs vary; however, about half attribute their actions to the political climate:
Notably, a majority of respondents attributed their companies’ implementation of DEI initiatives to public relations purposes.
Budget Implications
More than half of companies that have reduced or eliminated DEI initiatives have reallocated funds to general operating expenses, while a significant 40% have reallocated funds to AI or technology initiatives. Other beneficiaries of redirected funds include employee salaries and/or benefits, marketing, and new office space/facilities.
See CNBC’s “As the war on DEI intensifies, some companies hold the line while others work behind the scenes,” which includes examples of companies that are eliminating or scaling back, as well as standing firm on, DEI programs, policies, and practices.
This post first appeared in the weekly Society Alert!