4 Predictions That Will Shape The Future Of DEI In 2025

Increased scrutiny about the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has reached a fever pitch over the last year, with companies like Walmart, Boeing, Harley-Davidson, and Lowes among others, rolling back their DEI efforts and initiatives. The re-election of Donald Trump will likely result in further blows to workplace DEI efforts, as Trump and his allies vow to end “woke” practices like DEI trainings and hiring initiatives aimed at increasing the number of underrepresented employees. How will this current iteration of DEI as we know it be impacted by the rapidly changing climate and a new administration? This article explores four DEI predictions to prepare for in 2025.

Focus on metrics

With the DEI pushback that will continue into 2025, many DEI practitioners will orient their work on metrics. Despite the DEI noise, numbers don’t lie, and quantitative data will be a powerful tool to reveal disparities in the workplace and will help organizational leaders identify areas where interventions are needed. Questions that will emerge include 1. Are employees of all backgrounds being hired and promoted at the same rates within the workplace? 2. Are there any disparities in employee pay among different demographic groups? 3. What percentage of employees from underrepresented groups partake in professional development programs compared to their counterparts? 4. Do all employees have equal access to mentorship and sponsorship programs? This new season of DEI will include more of a focus on metrics and quantitative data, and practitioners will adjust and adapt to center metrics in their efforts. ?

Companies will lean into AI

Although AI could never replace subject matter experts, organizations and institutions will lean more on AI tools to assist with DEI interventions. AI can assist with many DEI-related efforts including reviewing job descriptions to ensure no biased language, helping human resource professionals to assess for pay equity, analyzing employee hiring and promotion data to check for disparities, and reviewing exit interview data to evaluate patterns and trends. In 2025 and beyond, more workplaces will lean on AI tools for their DEI efforts but AI tools must have guardrails and continue to evolve; more conversations about the bias and anti-blackness baked into AI systems are necessary.

More collaboration amongst practitioners

With the pushback being felt by DEI practitioners across the industry, many practitioners and subject matter experts (SMEs) will seek community and collaboration with each other to brainstorm and strategize how to overcome the current DEI resistance and think of innovate strategies to push DEI forward. Although DEI resistance is not a new phenomenon, many practitioners who entered the space post-George Floyd may be struggling to figure out how to continue to lead the charge in such a divisive climate. SMEs and practitioner collaborations can lead to transformative solutions for approaching DEI work and navigating the impending hurdles and obstacles.

Employee-led activism will increase

If implemented, Project 2025 will threaten worker rights and severely limit employees’ ability to unionize. More and more employees will be using their voice to advocate for themselves and others and to drive workplace shifts and changes. As organizations and institutions continue to eliminate DEI initiatives and programs, employees will figure out ways to strategize and to demand interventions that support their growth, wellbeing and development, including flexibility and remote work options, development opportunities, and pay equity. DEI will never die—no matter what DEI is called, its need and utility will never go away despite right-wing attempts to kill it. Employees will continue to use their power, influence and voice to band together and ensure that efforts are being made to create a safe, fair and equitable workplace in 2025 and beyond.

This article was originally published in Forbes.

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· My Tips for Aspiring DEI Consultants YOUTUBE VIDEO

· Understanding how the White Gaze Shows Up in Your Workplace ARTICLE

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