Beyond Backlash: The Continued Benefits of DEI at Work
Our Cookie Policy has been updated! The Conference Board uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy. For more information on how The Conference Board collects and uses personal data, please visit our privacy policy. By continuing to use this Site or by clicking "OK", you acknowledge our privacy policy and consent to the use of cookies.  Our Privacy Policy has been updated! Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy and our privacy policy. 
TCB Tourch
Loading...
  •  
    • NORTH AMERICA
    • EUROPE
    • ASIA

  • 2

    Close
    • Insights
        • Insights
        • Explore by Center
          • Explore by Center

          • CED
            Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Explore by Content Type
          • Explore by Content Type

          • Reports

          • Upcoming Webcasts

          • On Demand Webcasts

          • Podcasts

          • Charts & Infographics
        • Trending Topics
          • Trending Topics

          • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

          • Navigating Washington

          • Geopolitics

          • US Economic Forecast

          • Sustainability

          • Future of Work
    • Events
        • Events
        • Upcoming Events
          • Upcoming Events

          • Future: People Asia

          • Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

          • CED Distinguished Leadership Awards Celebration

          • The 2025 IBI/Conference Board Health and Productivity Forum

          • People First: Reimagining Talent and Rewards

          • The AI Leadership Summit

          • Explore all Upcoming Events

        • Member-Exclusive Programs
          • Member-Exclusive Programs

          • Center Briefings

          • Experts Live

          • Roundtables

          • Working Groups

          • Expert Briefings

    • Data
        • Data

        • Consumer Confidence Index

        • Data Central

        • TCB Benchmarking

        • Employment Trends Index

        • Global Economic Outlook

        • Leading Economic Indicators

        • Help Wanted OnLine

        • Labor Markets

        • Measure of CEO Confidence

        • Human Capital Benchmarking &
          Data Analytics

        • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

    • Centers
        • Centers
        • Our Centers
          • Our Centers

          • Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Center Membership
          • Center Membership

          • What Is a Center?

          • Benefits of Center Membership

          • Join a Center

    • Councils
        • Councils
        • Find a Council
          • Find a Council

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications
        • Council Membership
          • Council Membership

          • What is a Council?

          • Benefits of Council Membership

          • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
        • Membership
        • Why Become a Member?
          • Why Become a Member?

          • Benefits of Membership

          • Check if Your Organization is a Member

          • Speak to a Membership Associate
        • Types of Membership
          • Types of Membership

          • Council

          • Committee for Economic Development

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital

          • Marketing & Communications

          • Insights

        • Already a Member?
          • Already a Member?

          • Sign In to myTCB®

          • Executive Communities

          • Member-Exclusive Programs

    • About Us
        • About Us
        • Who We Are
          • Who We Are

          • About Us

          • In the News

          • Press Releases

          • Our History

          • Support Our Work

          • Locations

          • Contact Us

        • Our Community
          • Our Community

          • Our Leadership

          • Our Experts

          • Trustees

          • Voting Members

          • Global Counsellors

          • Careers

          • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
    • Sign In to myTCB®
      • NORTH AMERICA
      • EUROPE
      • ASIA
    • Insights
      • Insights
      • Explore by Center
        • Explore by Center

        • CED
          Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

      • Explore by Content Type
        • Explore by Content Type

        • Reports

        • Upcoming Webcasts

        • On Demand Webcasts

        • Podcasts

        • Charts & Infographics

      • Trending Topics
        • Trending Topics

        • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

        • Navigating Washington

        • Geopolitics

        • US Economic Forecast

        • Sustainability

        • Future of Work

    • Events
      • Events
      • Upcoming Events
        • Upcoming Events

        • Future: People Asia

        • Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

        • CED Distinguished Leadership Awards Celebration

        • The 2025 IBI/Conference Board Health and Productivity Forum

        • People First: Reimagining Talent and Rewards

        • The AI Leadership Summit

        • Explore all Upcoming Events

      • Member-Exclusive Programs
        • Member-Exclusive Programs

        • Center Briefings

        • Experts Live

        • Roundtables

        • Working Groups

        • Expert Briefings

    • Data
      • Data

      • Consumer Confidence Index

      • Data Central

      • TCB Benchmarking

      • Employment Trends Index

      • Global Economic Outlook

      • Leading Economic Indicators

      • Help Wanted OnLine

      • Labor Markets

      • Measure of CEO Confidence

      • Human Capital Benchmarking & Data Analytics

      • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard
    • Centers
      • Centers
      • Our Centers
        • Our Centers

        • Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

      • Center Membership
        • Center Membership

        • What is a Center?

        • Benefits of Center Membership

        • Join a Center

    • Councils
      • Councils
      • Find a Council
        • Find a Council

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications
      • Council Membership
        • Council Membership

        • What is a Council?

        • Benefits of Council Membership

        • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
      • Membership
      • Why Become a Member?
        • Why Become a Member?

        • Benefits of Membership

        • Check if Your Organization is a Member

        • Speak to a Membership Associate

      • Types of Membership
        • Types of Membership

        • Council

        • Committee for Economic Development

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

        • Marketing & Communications

        • Insights

      • Already a Member?
        • Already a Member?

        • Sign In to myTCB®

        • Executive Communities

        • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Who We Are
        • Who We Are

        • About Us

        • In the News

        • Press Releases

        • This Week @ TCB

        • Our History

        • Support Our Work

        • Locations

        • Contact Us

      • Our Community
        • Our Community

        • Our Leadership

        • Our Experts

        • Trustees

        • Voting Members

        • Global Counsellors

        • Careers

        • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • Sign In to myTCB®
    • Download TCB Insights App
  • Insights
    Insights

    Our research and analysis have helped the world's leading companies navigate challenges and seize opportunities for over 100 years.

    Explore All Research

    Economic Indicators

    • Explore by Center
    • CED
      Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    • Explore by Content Type
    • Reports
    • Upcoming Webcasts
    • On Demand Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Charts & Infographics
    • Trending Topics
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Navigating Washington
    • Geopolitics
    • US Economic Forecast
    • Sustainability
    • Future of Work
  • Events
    Events

    Our in-person and virtual events offer unmatched opportunities for professional development, featuring top experts and practitioners.

    See Everything Happening This Week

    Sponsor a Program

    • Upcoming Events

      • Future: People Asia

      September 04 - 05, 2025

      Executive Compensation in a Disruptive World

      September 16 - 17, 2025

      CED Distinguished Leadership Awards Celebration

      October 08, 2025

    •  

      • The 2025 IBI/Conference Board Health and Productivity Forum

      October 16 - 17, 2025

      People First: Reimagining Talent and Rewards

      October 16 - 17, 2025

      The AI Leadership Summit

      November 18 - 19, 2025

    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
    • Expert Briefings
    • Explore by Type
    • Events
    • Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
    • Expert Briefings
  • Data
    Corporate Disclosure Data

    TCB Benchmarking

    Real-time data & analytical tools to benchmark your governance, compensation, environmental, human capital management (HCM) and social practices against US public companies.

    Economic Data

    All Data

    See current direction and trends across key indicators

    Consumer Confidence Index

    US consumers' thoughts on the economy, jobs, finances and more

    Data Central

    One-stop, member-exclusive portal for the entire suite of indicators

    Labor Markets

    Covering all aspects of labor markets, from monthly development to long-term trends

    Measure of CEO Confidence

    Examines the health of the US economy from the perspective of CEOs

     

    Recession & Growth Trackers

    See the current and future state of 16 economies.

    Global Economic Outlook

    Track the latest short-, medium-, and long-term growth outlooks for 77 economies

    Leading Economic Indicators

    Track the state of the business cycle for 12 global economies across Asia and Europe

    Help Wanted OnLine

    Track the status of job markets across the US through online job listings

    Other Featured Data

    Human Capital Analytics Tools

    Tools to understand human capital management and corporate performance

    CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

    Tracks the impact, resources, and satisfaction of CMOs and CCOs

  • Centers
    Centers

    Centers offer access to world-class experts, research, events, and senior executive communities.

    Our Centers
    • Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    Center Membership
    • What Is a Center?
    • Benefits of Center Membership
    • Join a Center
  • Councils
    Councils

    Councils are invitation-only, peer-led communities of senior executives that come together to exchange knowledge, accelerate career development, and advance their function.

    Find a Council
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    Council Membership
    • What Is a Council?
    • Benefits of Council Membership
    • Apply to a Council
  • Membership
    Membership

    Membership in The Conference Board arms your team with an arsenal of knowledge, networks, and expertise that's unmatched in scope and depth.

    • Why Become a Member?
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Check if Your Organization is a Member
    • Speak to a Membership Associate
    • Types of Membership
    • Council
    • Committee for Economic Development
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Marketing & Communications
    • Insights
    • Already a Member?
    • Sign in to myTCB®
    • Executive Communities
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
  • About Us
    About Us

    The Conference Board is the global, nonprofit think tank and business membership organization that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead®. For over 100 years, our cutting-edge research, data, events and executive networks have helped the world's leading companies understand the present and shape the future.

    Learn more about Membership

    • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • Our History
    • Support Our Work
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
    • Our Community
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Experts
    • Trustees
    • Voting Members
    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
Check if You're a Member
Create Account
Forgot Your Password?

Members of The Conference Board get exclusive access to the full range of products and services that deliver Trusted Insights for What's Ahead ® including webcasts, publications, data and analysis, plus discounts to conferences and events.

Beyond Backlash: The Continued Benefits of DEI at Work

29 October 2024 / Report

Download Report
  • Email
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Copy Link

1,345 US workers and leaders responded to an August 2024 survey from The Conference Board on perceptions of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) at work. Four-fifths support their organization’s DEI efforts overall, and more than two-thirds believe DEI has a positive impact on their work experience. Similarly, two-thirds would not, or would only reluctantly, work for an employer that does not take DEI seriously.

1,345 US workers and leaders responded to an August 2024 survey from The Conference Board on perceptions of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) at work. Four-fifths support their organization’s DEI efforts overall, and more than two-thirds believe DEI has a positive impact on their work experience. Similarly, two-thirds would not, or would only reluctantly, work for an employer that does not take DEI seriously.

Key Insights

  • More than 75% of organizations have DEI policies in place to promote equity, with strong support from most respondents; leaders should consider this support before revising their DEI programs.
  • DEI initiatives have a positive impact when leaders communicate its importance and where employee resource groups are available; leaders should emphasize DEI’s benefits for all employees and use insights from ERGs to guide decision-making.
  • Respondents view DEI as beneficial in fostering a strong workplace culture; accordingly, leaders should consider DEI’s ability and impact to shape a workplace culture that attracts and retains diverse talent.
  • Respondents are less positive about DEI’s effects on productivity; leaders should consider the specific conditions where productivity gains are most likely to be realized and how to measure and clearly communicate them.

More on this topic from The Confe

Authors

Allan Schweyer

Allan Schweyer Allan Schweyer

Principal Researcher, Human Capital
The Conference Board

Read Bio

Matthew Maloof

Matthew Maloof Matthew Maloof

Researcher, Human Capital
The Conference Board

Read Bio

Diana Scott

Diana Scott Diana Scott

US Human Capital Center Leader
The Conference Board

Read Bio

Rita Meyerson, EdD

Rita Meyerson, EdD Rita Meyerson, EdD

Principal Researcher, Human Capital
The Conference Board

Read Bio

View All

This publication is only available to Members. Please sign in to your myTCB® account to access it. To learn more about becoming a Member, click here. To check if your company is a Member, click here

Sign In

Forgot your password

Create An Account

 

Keep my computer signed in

Forgot your password

Create An Account

myTCB® Members get exclusive access to webcasts, publications, data and analysis, plus discounts to events.

Great News!

You already have an account with The Conference Board.

Please try to login in with your email or click here if you have forgotten your password.

Create An Account



 

By Clicking 'Create Account', You Agree To Our Terms Of Use

Create Account

Other Related Resources

Report

Advancing Opportunity and Access: Linking DEI to Business Outcomes

Advancing Opportunity and Access: Linking DEI to Business Outcomes

June 12, 2025

Report

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

May 29, 2025

Report

Sustainability Without the SDGs: US Policy Shifts and Corporate ESG

Sustainability Without the SDGs: US Policy Shifts and Corporate ESG

March 17, 2025

Quick Take

Emerging Trends in C-Suite Pay: Beyond DEI to Broader Human Capital Outcomes

Emerging Trends in C-Suite Pay: Beyond DEI to Broader Human Capital Outcomes

February 24, 2025

Essay

American Airlines ESG Ruling: Investing & Corporate Sustainability Implications

American Airlines ESG Ruling: Investing & Corporate Sustainability Implications

January 15, 2025

Report

Shareholder Expectations on Climate: Insights from the 2024 Proxy Season

Shareholder Expectations on Climate: Insights from the 2024 Proxy Season

December 16, 2024

Report

ESG Performance Metrics in Executive Compensation Strategies: 2024 Edition

ESG Performance Metrics in Executive Compensation Strategies: 2024 Edition

December 12, 2024

Chart

Infographic: Beyond Backlash: The Continued Benefits of DEI

Infographic: Beyond Backlash: The Continued Benefits of DEI

November 13, 2024

Report

For Many Workers, DEI Is Essential

For Many Workers, DEI Is Essential

October 29, 2024

Report

DEI Under Pressure

DEI Under Pressure

October 28, 2024

Podcasts

What Should Corporate Inclusion Look Like Going Forward?

What Should Corporate Inclusion Look Like Going Forward?

October 28, 2024

Podcasts

Cancel the ESG Backlash

Cancel the ESG Backlash

July 22, 2024

Report

Hitting the Reset Button on ESG: Setting Strategy in a Time of Uncertainty

Hitting the Reset Button on ESG: Setting Strategy in a Time of Uncertainty

July 10, 2024

Quick Take

Despite ESG Backlash, Customers Want More Sustainability & Information About It

Despite ESG Backlash, Customers Want More Sustainability & Information About It

December 11, 2023

Article

Communicate Sustainability in Near-Term Goals, Economic Gains, and Simple Words

Communicate Sustainability in Near-Term Goals, Economic Gains, and Simple Words

November 13, 2023

Report

2023 Proxy Season Review: Navigating ESG Backlash & Shareholder Proposal Fatigue

2023 Proxy Season Review: Navigating ESG Backlash & Shareholder Proposal Fatigue

October 18, 2023

Essay

ESG Backlash Is Real and Growing. What to Know.

ESG Backlash Is Real and Growing. What to Know.

September 21, 2023

Podcasts

How ESG Backlash is Changing How Companies Operate

How ESG Backlash is Changing How Companies Operate

September 11, 2023

Report

How Companies Can Address ESG Backlash

How Companies Can Address ESG Backlash

August 01, 2023

Report

Four Ways Directors Can Steer a Steady Course Amid ESG Backlash

Four Ways Directors Can Steer a Steady Course Amid ESG Backlash

July 27, 2023

Quick Take

ESG Backlash: How Companies Can Turn Adversity Into Advantage

ESG Backlash: How Companies Can Turn Adversity Into Advantage

May 24, 2023

Report

Advancing Opportunity and Access: Linking DEI to Business Outcomes

Advancing Opportunity and Access: Linking DEI to Business Outcomes

June 12, 2025

Report

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

Sustainability Under Scrutiny: Corporate ESG in an Uncertain Policy Environment

May 29, 2025

Report

Sustainability Without the SDGs: US Policy Shifts and Corporate ESG

Sustainability Without the SDGs: US Policy Shifts and Corporate ESG

March 17, 2025

Conference Board Sample Web Chat
chatbot-Icon TCB Logo
chatbot-Icon
C-Suite Insights - Stay updated on the biggest issues facing business executives.
ABOUT US
  • Who We Are
  • Our History
  • Our Experts
  • Our Leadership
  • In the News
  • Press Releases
EXPLORE
  • Membership
  • Centers
  • Councils
  • TCB Benchmarking
  • Ask TCB
  • Events
  • Webcasts
  • Podcasts
  • This Week @ TCB
 
  • Events
  • Webcasts
  • Podcasts
  • This Week @ TCB
CONTACT US
  • North America
    +1 212 759 0900
    customer.service@tcb.org
  • Europe/Africa/Middle East
    +32 2 675 5405
    brussels@tcb.org
  • Asia
    Hong Kong | +852 2804 1000
    Singapore | +65 8298 3403
    service.ap@tcb.org
CAREERS
  • See Open Positions
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2025 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2025 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all data from The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.

Thank you for signing up. You will now receive CEO Insights for What's Ahead every Wednesday morning. You can unsubscribe at any time or manage your preferences to receive more content from The Conference Board.

Important: Your Membership subscription payment is past due. We have not yet received your Membership payment. Please click the button below to pay your invoice.

Pay Invoice

Announcing The Conference Board AI Virtual Conference Series

Explore the Impact of AI on Your Business

Members receive complimentary registration - Learn more >>