HR teams back stealthy campaign for DEI

HR teams are showing their support for a new campaign called ‘DEI by Stealth’ that aims to ensure that policies for diversity, equity and inclusion survive the ongoing backlash.

This campaign was created by prominent people from within the HR industry and it is taking place largely on WhatsApp. That private messaging platform is providing them with a way of figuring out problems together, as well as swapping ideas and resources. The hope is that it can be used to devise strategies for maintaining the policies at a time when resistance to them is growing.

‘DEI by Stealth’ is something that came about in the wake of a discussion between Great British Railway Transition Team head of wellbeing and DEI Dante Frederick and Inclusive Workplace founder Ursula Tavender. Some of its recommendations – including changing the branding – are already being adopted in the corporate world.

A number of businesses have opted to rename the policies, using ‘belonging’ and ‘wellbeing’ instead of ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’. Heads of DEI are also now seeing their job titles reframed as heads of people or heads of culture.

In a way, this simply reflects the fact that DEI is mostly about workplace culture. Many companies may find that using a corporate culture consultant helps them to keep the policies on track while also rebranding them.

Speaking to HR Magazine, Tavender said:

“DEI by Stealth is about protecting the simple, powerful belief that everyone deserves the chance to access good work, and to be valued, safe and respected while doing it.”

The campaign was first launched in March.