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Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
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How companies like Delta and Cisco are sticking up for their DEI policies

Brit Morse
By
Brit Morse
Brit Morse
Leadership Reporter
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Brit Morse
By
Brit Morse
Brit Morse
Leadership Reporter
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April 4, 2025, 8:19 AM ET
An illustration of a group of people from different races, ages, and genders. standing together.
While many companies are walking away from their diversity commitments, other companies are standing up for their programs. Getty Images

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Just a few years ago, companies were touting their diversity and inclusion programs, along with new policies designed to shed light on racial and gender inequality. Now, many of those same companies are altering, watering down, or scrapping these initiatives. 

But although the DEI rollback has been well documented, not everyone is walking away from their commitments. The chief external affairs officer of Delta Air Lines, for example, said during an earnings call earlier this year that the company had no plans to change their policies, adding that “diversity, equity, and inclusion is critical to effective human capital management at Delta.” Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins shared similar remarks at Davos in January, saying that the company wouldn’t be getting rid of its DEI policies because there’s “too much business value.”

Although business leaders making public statements about DEI is rare, those executives aren’t alone. Around 49% of C-suite leaders surveyed in March by legal firm Littler said they have no plans to roll back their DEI programs, and only 8% say they’re considering making fundamental changes to them. 

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t scared. Around 55% of leaders surveyed say they have serious concerns about lawsuits, additional government actions, and shareholder votes, forcing them to make serious changes to their programs. Costco and Apple, for example, were recently faced with proposals from anti-DEI shareholder activists, both of which were voted down. 

Keeping a cool head right now is critical. Some research suggests that businesses that rapidly change viewpoints on issues customers care about could face backlash for coming off as “inauthentic.” And experts say that despite the fear created by Trump’s recent executive orders focused on eliminating DEI, if a corporate diversity program is open to everyone and compliant with existing civil rights laws, it’s perfectly legal.

“Despite the increased scrutiny, many companies seem to be taking a measured approach, rather than rushing to end or scale back IE&D efforts,” Jeanine Conley Daves, an employment attorney at Littler and member of the firm’s IE&D consulting practice, told Fortune. “It makes sense not to make extensive changes to efforts and initiatives that have helped to build a strong company culture.”

Read more about how companies are publicly standing up for their DEI policies here.

Brit Morse
brit.morse@fortune.com

Around the Table

A round-up of the most important HR headlines.

President Trump is promising a manufacturing renaissance, but economists and business leaders say his vast plans may not come to fruition. New York Times

In an effort to fill millions of blue-collar jobs across the country, China is now telling new college graduates to consider roles in manufacturing. Bloomberg

Big consulting firms are offering to cut billions of dollars from their contracts with federal agencies, but the Trump administration says it still may not be enough. Wall Street Journal

Watercooler

Everything you need to know from Fortune.

Sticking up to the man. Despite pressures from the Trump administration, Aurora James, creator of the Fifteen Percent Pledge says companies aren’t bowing out of their commitments. —Sara Braun

Disengagement costs. If top executives get too burned out, it could cost a company $20,000 or more and could affect how others show up to work. —HR Brew

Getting away with more. The tenacious political landscape is having a drastic effect on the workplace, including a rise in overall bad behavior, a new study points out. —Sara Braun

This is the web version of Fortune CHRO, a newsletter focusing on helping HR executives navigate the needs of the workplace. Sign up to get it delivered free to your inbox.
About the Author
Brit Morse
By Brit MorseLeadership Reporter
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Brit Morse is a former Leadership reporter at Fortune, covering workplace trends and the C-suite. She also writes CHRO Daily, Fortune’s flagship newsletter for HR professionals and corporate leaders.

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