At a news conference on Jan. 30, President Donald Trump suggested that DEI hires were to blame for the Washington, D.C. plane crash. This raises the question of whether companies hire minorities to increase diversity, regardless of their qualifications for the job.
What is a DEI Hire?
DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. The DEI hiring process is intended to hire skilled employees regardless of their race, gender, age, disability etc. A common misconception is that companies will hire non-skilled employees just to fill DEI policy requirements. This misconception is harmful to minorities because they are passed off as someone who was hired solely for who they are and not based on their skill sets or knowledge.
This misconception has been proven to be false. According to Forbes, DEI is used to ensure that performance, rather than privilege, is the primary basis of getting ahead in the workplace. Companies still ensure that their new employees are skilled and a good fit for their workplace, regardless of other factors.
Benefits of DEI Hires
There are several benefits to DEI hires, which is why companies reinforce these policies. Companies that bring in people from many backgrounds benefit greatly. They offer new insights and knowledge that others might not have.
DEI hires also ensure equal opportunities for everyone. Minorities are finally receiving equal opportunities by breaking the systematic barriers to entry. Without DEI policies, minorities still might not have the same job opportunities as everyone else.
Where did the Term “DEI” Come From?
DEI is not a modern movement. The concept of DEI can be dated back to the 1960s when policies were created to address the underrepresentation of groups, according to Forbes. This started the beginning of policies and movements that have shaped society today.
In 2020, the Biden administration signed DEI executive orders into office which incorporated the Critical Race Theory into education and other inclusivity orders such as requiring all federal buildings to be fully accessible.
Recently, President Trump has expressed he wants to take away the DEI executive orders that were previously put into place under Biden’s presidency.
Why is this important? DEI policies cover more than just employee hiring. DEI policies provide inclusivity accommodations like parental leave for fathers, wheelchair accessibility, time off for religious holidays, language translation services and more, according to NowThis Impact. DEI doesn’t stand for equality, it stands for equity, meaning everyone should be given a fair chance at opportunities.
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