Should you abandon DEI? A research-based perspective on navigating current pressures.
Companies are being told to cancel DEI programs, wipe them from websites, and pretend structural barriers don't exist. But what if you believe these initiatives are important for your hiring market and your values?
Dr. Catherine Connelly, HR professor and researcher, joins me to discuss the real-world pressures HR professionals are facing around DEI - especially when your head office says "stop" but you know it's the right thing to do.
We dig into what's actually happening legally vs. politically, what the research says about which DEI practices actually work (spoiler: mandatory training isn't the magic bullet), and practical strategies for continuing this work even when you can't call it "DEI" anymore.
This isn't about politics - it's about smart HR practices that help you attract and retain the best talent while protecting your organization legally.
In this episode, we cover:
- What's really driving the shift away from DEI in North America and why Canadian companies are reacting proactively
- The crucial difference between political pressure and actual legal requirements
- Why "don't obey in advance" is essential advice for HR professionals right now
- Which DEI practices research shows actually work - and the surprising truth about mandatory training
- How to continue meaningful inclusion work without using the DEI label
- Legal risks Canadian organizations face if they abandon diversity initiatives
- The business case for fair processes and procedural justice
- Practical advice for HR consultants still writing DEI policies during uncertain times
- Building community and inclusion when everything feels unsettled
About Dr. Catherine Connelly:HR professor and researcher focused on workplace behavior, employee well-being, and diversity. Find her research at connellyresearch.com or connect at connell@mcmaster.ca
Resources mentioned:Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" | McMaster Center for Research on Employment and Work (Mcrew)
Find Andrea at https://thehrhub.ca/