The Deal recently turned to Fenwick’s Dave Bell for insight and analysis on the latest corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trends.
Bell was quoted in an article about companies walking back public statements on DEI following a Supreme Court ruling last year that deemed race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions unconstitutional and emboldened DEI critics to challenge corporate policies via shareholder proposals and in the court of public opinion.
"There was some loose talk before where things were phrased in a way that was uncareful and likely not accurately reflecting the reality of things," Bell was quoted. "[Those statements] were understood more expansively to potentially include conduct that is problematic from an employment and anti-discrimination perspective."
Now, Bell told The Deal, companies are still trying to accomplish equality goals, but they are being more careful about how they talk about their DEI programs.
Explore his insights in the full article (subscription required).