Report: 80% of LGBTQ+ workers are ready to boycott companies that don’t support DEI

Ford and Lowe's have recently dismantled their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, ending employee resource groups and Pride event sponsorships. This trend follows companies like Tractor Supply and John Deere, which have also stopped participating in the Corporate Equality Index, an annual report by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) that evaluates companies' inclusivity of LGBTQ+ employees. New data from HRC shows that this surge in anti-DEI activity is affecting how queer workers perceive brands and employers, with 80% of respondents saying they would boycott a company that rolled back its DEI policies. Many respondents also reported that such a decision would impact their experience at work, making them feel less accepted, and could lead to a decrease in productivity or even cause them to quit their job. Queer workers value a company's commitment to DEI initiatives, particularly amid growing anti-DEI backlash. A majority of Americans still view DEI initiatives as a good thing, according to a Washington Post and Ipsos poll. It seems likely that LGBTQ+ employees will make their voices heard if their employers continue to backtrack on DEI commitments.