The 2021 State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Efforts: Progress, Priorities, and Opportunities

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has grown from being a buzzword among organizations — including and especially those in the Fortune 500 — to a must-address action item for Chief Diversity Officers and other executive leaders.

Organizational accountability around DEI initiatives has become a top priority among companies across industries, who now understand the benefits of increasing diversity. As our State of DEI Efforts report found, an inclusive and equitable company culture and a work environment in which all members of the workforce are seen and heard is critical to employee experience and long-term business success.

We surveyed more than 500 HR decision-makers and 1,000 other professionals to learn what DEI efforts their orgs have implemented. Specifically, we asked these individuals how diversity-related projects and programs, like DEI training and employee resource groups (ERGs), have been communicated company-wide and the gap between their C-suite’s perspective around DEI versus those of their employees.

Some key findings we found in our diversity, equity and inclusion survey include:

• 57% of employers are looking at their hiring efforts to meet their DEI goals
• 43% of employers say it’s difficult to find diverse applicants for open roles
• 57% of employers are highly confident that they will achieve their DEI goals
• 29% of employees say their orgs are making progress with their DEI efforts

View all of the findings from our in-depth report around companies’ diversity initiatives and DEI work, and use the data and insights to help your business build a more diverse workforce and renew your commitment to DEI. Download your free copy of our special State of DEI report today.