The Josh Bersin Company

DEI Attacked by SHRM, Civility In The Workplace, And The ROI of AI

Jul 19, 2024

In Ireland, a passionate discussion challenges a major HR organization's stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The need for equity in the workplace is highlighted as vital for fairness and justice. Attention is drawn to the alarming decline of civility in American workplaces, impacting communication and collaboration. Additionally, the uncertainty around the return on investment of artificial intelligence sparks debate, as businesses consider its potential for efficiency and enhanced problem-solving.

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Quick takeaways

Equity remains a fundamental component of DEI, essential for promoting fairness and addressing systemic biases within the workplace environment.

The decline of civility in American workplaces significantly hampers effective communication and collaboration, highlighting the necessity for improved behavioral policies.

Deep dives

The Impact of DEI and the Removal of 'Equity'

The discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) highlights the controversy surrounding the removal of the term 'equity' by a major HR organization. This change has sparked backlash, as equity is fundamentally linked to fairness and justice in the workplace. The speaker argues that eliminating this term undermines the purpose of DEI, which is to combat bias and promote fair treatment in hiring and advancement. Real-world examples, such as legal challenges faced by companies like Coca-Cola, illustrate the persistent issues of racial discrimination and the societal implications of such practices.

Intro

5min

The Evolution and Challenges of DEI Initiatives

3min

The Importance of Diversity and Equity in the Workplace

2min

Civility and the Impact of AI in the Workplace

15min

Today I broadcast again from Ireland, where I discuss why I disagree with SHRM’s position on DEI, how DEI is undermined and why it remains important, the unfortunate decline in civility in the American workplace, and how we afford the $2 Trillion investments in #AI. (Read our research report Elevating Equity to understand the real-world business case for DEI and pay equity.)

Keywords DEI, equity, fairness, civility, values at work, political discourse, ROI of AI, SHRM

Takeaways

Equity is a crucial aspect of DEI, representing fairness and justice in the workplace, and lives on for many business reasons.
Civility is essential for effective communication and collaboration at work.
The lack of civility in the United States is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed.
The ROI of AI is still uncertain, and organizations need to carefully evaluate the value it brings.
Already AI provides time-saving benefits, enables new capabilities, and enhance learning and problem-solving.

Additional Resources

SHRM’s Problematic DEI Pivot

Elevating Equity: Josh Bersin Academy Certificate Course on DEI

Civility in the Workplace (research)

Goldman Sachs MIT ROI of AI Analysis