Expert Advice: Smart Leaders Invest in DEI, Even in Tough Times

A condensed version of this article was first published in WRAL TechWire.

With a recession on the horizon, many leaders might be tempted to scale back or discard their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

But investing in DEI isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessary business expense for companies that want to strengthen their brand, retain high-performing talent, protect themselves from costly legal actions, and weather economic downturns.

In fact, Great Place to Work, which studies workplace culture, reported that publicly traded companies with diverse and inclusive workplaces thrived before, during, and after the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009. The data proves that DEI efforts can strengthen organizations, protecting them in tough times.

We recently invited three experts to explain exactly how DEI can help your company grow in uncertain times and why having a diverse and inclusive workplace will only become more important as time goes on.