At CultureCon, we’ve always been at the forefront of conversations about workplace culture, leadership, and the evolving dynamics of professional spaces. One of the most debated and impactful topics in recent years has been Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). To get a clearer picture of how professionals across industries feel about DEI policies, we recently conducted a survey of our community.
The results? They highlight not only the value employees place on DEI but also how businesses are responding to the shifting landscape of workplace culture.
The Significance of DEI to Employees
One of the most striking findings from our survey was the overwhelming support for DEI initiatives among employees. When asked to rate, on a scale from 1 to 10, how important it is that employers prioritize DEI, 48% of respondents gave a perfect “10” rating—indicating they find it “extremely important.”
By contrast, only 20% of respondents gave a rating between 0 and 5, showing that a significant majority see DEI as a top priority. This data underscores that for nearly half of our respondents, DEI isn’t just a talking point—it’s a non-negotiable element of a healthy, successful workplace.
Employers Are Taking Notice
Workers aren’t the only ones recognizing the value of DEI. Our survey also revealed that the majority of organizations are maintaining or even increasing their DEI investments. Specifically, 77% of respondents reported that their employers have either increased or kept stable their investment in DEI initiatives. Meanwhile, only 9% said their organizations had decreased or eliminated DEI efforts.
This suggests that, despite ongoing political and cultural debates surrounding DEI, many businesses see these initiatives as integral to their long-term strategy. In an era where workplace culture is a key factor in employee retention and recruitment, this commitment makes sense.
Real Voices, Real Opinions
Beyond the numbers, some of the most insightful takeaways from the survey came from open-ended responses. Participants were eager to share their nuanced perspectives on why DEI matters—and how it should be approached. Here are just a few of the compelling responses:
“DEI is not a handout, it’s good business.”
“I think [DEI is] critical and a key part of psychological safety (which we know is the #1 factor that enables or gatekeeps high-performing teams).”
“I think DEI as an acronym is dead, but the principles remain and always will. Because they are fundamental to how all human beings wish to be treated.”
“I'm very pro-DEI in the workplace… I understand if you’re talking about a specific skilled job like ‘pilot’ or ‘air traffic controller’ people may argue that it doesn’t matter what your background or perspective is, it just matters if you pass the test. And that is true—however, you also have to know that the test exists, you have to know what day it is, you have to know that that job exists and that there is a test you have to take, and you have to have the money to pay to take it if it is that kind of thing.”
Not all feedback was in favor of DEI, though. Some respondents expressed skepticism:
“DEI is not a strength. The right person for the job should be qualified for it, with the right education and experience. That person’s race, gender, and religious background have nothing to do with it.”
These responses highlight the range of opinions that exist within the workplace today. While many employees see DEI as a vital part of creating a strong, fair work environment, others feel that it should not play a central role in hiring and company policies.
What’s Next for DEI?
The results of our survey show that DEI remains a critical issue for today’s workforce. Employees want their companies to prioritize inclusion and equity, and most organizations appear to be responding accordingly. However, there is still room for conversation, education, and strategy refinement to ensure that DEI efforts are both meaningful and effective.
At CultureCon, we’re committed to fostering discussions that drive positive change in workplace culture. Whether through our conferences, webinars or surveys like this one, we’ll continue to explore what matters most to today’s professionals.
About CultureCon®:
CultureCon®, a Certified B Corporation®, is on a mission to inspire positive change around organizational culture. Through large conferences, online courses, consulting services, and certification programs, we deliver experiences that provide practical tools and motivation for our customers to become cultural change agents within their organizations. Our customers include business owners, CxOs, HR leaders, senior management, individual contributors, and anyone who wants to build more uplifting, inspiring, and healthy workplaces.
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