Even before budget constraints tightened their grip, the advent of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022 saw DEIB sliding down many employers’ priority lists. A survey by Mineral and The Fossicker Group in 2020 revealed that 48% of HR and compliance decision-makers considered DEIB among their top five priorities. However, by 2022, this number dwindled to 34%, with only 16% maintaining DEIB as a top-five priority.
Beyond budget limitations, the divisive US social and political landscape further complicates matters. Some business leaders now view DEIB as a potential source of division within their workforce or a topic that could cast their organization in a political light. The intangible nature of DEIB results makes it challenging to measure impact and track progress.
The savviest HR leaders navigate these challenges by tightly integrating DEIB into everyday business operations. Instead of relegating DEIB to a dedicated line item, they weave it into the fabric of their organizations, aiming to make it an authentic part of the organizational culture.
These leaders employ budget-resistant strategies like the following to keep DEIB visible:
- They seamlessly incorporate DEIB values into everyday business practices and company culture. Focus on the “belonging” aspect, making discussions about belonging a regular part of team meetings, including relevant content like books, podcasts, and articles.
- Beyond the hiring phase, they utilise personality assessments for ongoing team cohesion and communication. These tools foster awareness, acceptance, and support for diverse working and communication styles.
- Making DEIB no longer an add-on assignment, by incorporating it into employee job descriptions, setting annual goals and evaluating employee performance based on contributions to those goals.
In the face of budget cuts and layoffs, HR professionals can’t save every initiative but wield strategic tools to preserve DEIB values, focus, and investment. Ultimately, proven success becomes the most effective way to budget-proof any initiative.
