In 2025, 1 in 8 companies plan to eliminate or reduce their diversity, equity and inclusion programs due to political climate changes, economic pressures or a lack of measurable return on investment, according to a Jan. 21 report by Resume.org.

In a survey of 1,000 companies that had DEI programs in 2024, 65% said they’re maintaining the same budget, 22% are increasing their funding, 8% are reducing their budget, and 5% have eliminated their programs already.

About 11% of companies that have maintained or reduced DEI funding said they’re very or somewhat likely to eliminate DEI programs later in 2025. Among companies that don’t anticipate eliminating their programs in the next year, 8% said they’re likely to phase them out in the next four years.

“Many companies have faced budget cuts and may view DEI as non-essential, reallocating resources to more immediate profit-driven areas,” Irina Pichura, a career coach for Resume.org, said in a statement.

“Some companies also abandon DEI programs due to difficulties quantifying their impact, leading them to question their value,” Pichura said. “However, eliminating DEI programs can result in less inclusive workplace cultures and reduce psychological safety for underrepresented groups.

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Source : https://www.hrdive.com/news/companies-to-weaken-dei-commitments-in-2025/738219/