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Glossary Term

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

Learn about DEI—what it is, the origins, goals, and evolution of it in the workplace—from civil rights to today’s shifting corporate landscape. Understand why DEI still matters and how companies are adapting.

By HR Brew Staff

less than 3 min read

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Definition:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) refers to the practices and policies to attract, recruit, and retain employees from various backgrounds, to ensure they have equal advancement opportunities and are included in their workplace, regardless of their identity.

What is the goal of DEI?

DEI programs are meant to combat systemic barriers to equality that exist at every stage of the employee lifecycle. They encompass a variety of initiatives—including bias training, partnerships (such as those with educational institutions like Historically Black Colleges and Universities), and employee resource groups (ERGs)—and were born from systemic inequalities that have existed since the founding of the US.

When did DEI start?

Workplace inequalities persisted in the 1960s, when there was little representation of Black people or women, and discrimination was rampant. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, barring employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. (Disabled people were added as a protected class following the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.) The law fueled a shift in the workplace, as employers began taking an affirmative-action approach to hiring and offering equal employment education. Affirmative action would then morph into diversity and inclusion, with equity eventually being added into the mix.

How has DEI evolved?

Despite these efforts, and the anti-discrimination laws of the late 20th century, corporate America was still largely white and male. In the summer of 2020, though, the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by police in Minneapolis, sparked renewed calls for racial equality. Companies made DEI commitments, and job postings on Glassdoor increased 216% between Aug. 2019 and Feb. 2022. Since then, however, many have argued that these pledges were performative or have fallen short. Amid the anti-DEI movement that has cropped up since the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling on affirmative action in higher education, employers are continuing to evolve their DEI efforts to achieve a more diverse and equitable workplace.

Can you put DEI into context?

“Emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) surged in 2020, largely due to the cultural reckoning surrounding the police murder of George Floyd, which put a spotlight on persisting racial inequities in the US,” HR Brew reported in early 2024.

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