My Journey into DEI Reality
So last quarter, our CEO announced this big DEI initiative with fireworks – hired consultants, launched training modules, whole nine yards. I thought “Cool, finally walking the talk.” Signed up immediately to help with employee resource groups.
First red flag hit during budget meetings. Asked for $500 to buy accessible tech for our neurodivergent teammates. Finance guy goes: “Sorry, recession worries – maybe next fiscal year.” Meanwhile they approved a $200k executive retreat that same afternoon. Got me thinking hard about what’s actually valued here.
Started digging deeper and found six painful truths:
- Lip service beats real action.
- Middle managers torpedo everything.
- Diversity hires become scapegoats.
- Metrics get gamed rotten.
- Burnout ravages advocates.
- Shareholders trump morals.
Caught leadership copy-pasting last year’s diversity report just changing the dates. When I called it out? Got moved off the DEI task force for being “too disruptive.”
Rolled out unconscious bias training department-wide. Our sales VP literally said: “If anyone tries to make this mandatory, I’ll approve PTO to skip it.” Guess whose team had 90% absenteeism?
Watched them hire this brilliant Black woman for engineering. When projects missed deadlines? Suddenly heard whispers about “culture fit issues.” She quit last month – now they blame DEI for “lowering standards.”
Had to compile ethnicity data for HR. Director told me: “If someone selects two races, just pick the whitest one. Investors prefer clearer metrics.” My jaw hit the floor.
Ended up doing seven ERG events unpaid after hours. When I asked for comp time? Got told: “Passion projects shouldn’t need compensation.” Now I’m on stress leave with three others from the committee.
When stocks dipped 8% last month, first thing axed? Free childcare subsidies. Still kept those corner office mahogany renovations though. Really shows where priorities live.
Left my committee role yesterday. Funny how fast they found my replacement – some fresh grad who’ll work for “exposure.” Meanwhile I’m just collecting these stories like ugly trophies. The whole system’s broken when empty gestures count more than human decency.
