Apr 15

Employees say yes to DEI and Debunk the Myth of the Death of DEI

This post was originally sent out to the SunShower mailing list in April. If you'd like to receive our emails, fill out the form here.  
The myth of the death of DEI is just that, a myth! 

With all the negative articles, who would've known? But yes! The work of diversity, equity and inclusion is ongoing and appreciated by employees.

Why? Because employees have experienced what DEI does for them.

Here are the stats: 87% of companies are either maintaining or increasing their DEI budgets according to a 2025 study by Resume.org.

Similar results from LinkedIn, 46% of respondents are increasing DEI efforts and 33% keeping same.

86% of employees have a neutral-to-favorable opinion about increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, from Pew Research.

"Corporations recognize that younger generations of consumers are drawn to companies that embody inclusive and equitable values," writes Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.

"Workplaces that develop initiatives and interventions designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion will be better equipped to retain employees and remain sustainable in the future."

The Tale of Two Commitments (DEI, that is) 

Have you seen the stats on Target vs Costco? Target's foot traffic has fallen steadily since backing away from DEI and Costco's has risen since their re-commitment to DEI. So, let's not buy into the misinformation and dour narratives about DEI.

Beyond the terrible headlines, the data shows that most companies are not deterred by the current DEI backlash.

The work continues and I'm here to support you. 

Rebranding DEI

A CNBC article highlights how some companies are reframing their DEI efforts—moving away from the acronym "DEI" but not the mission. 

This got me thinking about language. Some of the people quoted in the article describe how they've changed the name of their DEI work, for example, changing equity to opportunity: Diversity Opportunity and Inclusion. 

Okay, opportunity is a good word, but this is not an equal or equitable substitution. Words matter, and while opportunity is something we want for each and every person, it doesn't point to the systemic change that "equity" calls for. In my view, true inclusion requires more than just a rebrand, especially when it goes soft on the bias and discrimination that are baked into the system. 

I continue to use DEI—on the SunShower Learning website, in posts, and in my courses. The anti-DEI pushback is important to pay attention to, but it's not essential, it's a gust of fear and rage that will pass.  

What is essential is the lived experience that diversity equity and inclusion is for everyone. We the People will (and must) continue building diverse and inclusive workplaces with policies and practices that ensure equitable outcomes for everyone. This is how we build the workplaces and communities we want to live and thrive in. 

For me, DEI isn't just a label–it's a call to action. The meaning of the words and the impact of this work is why I'm so passionate. So, let’s keep working together and finding ways to create a better now and future.                                                                                                                                      ~ Joel 

This post was originally sent out to the SunShower mailing list in April. If you'd like to receive our emails, fill out the form here.  

To stand for inclusion would you like to license one of our DEI courses for your organization? 🤣

Special pricing is available when you license for your group, team, school, university or corporation. 

Fill out this form, and Joel Lesko, SunShower Learning's director will respond with information about licensing and how you can install the course in your internal LMS or use our LMS. 

SunShower Learning is experienced in helping large and small organizations integrate eLearning courses into training systems.

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