HR Policy Association joined a large group of business associations in raising concerns about the impact of a recent executive order limiting federal contractors’ diversity and inclusion training.
The business community letter calls on President Trump to “work with the business and nonprofit communities on an approach that would support appropriate workplace training programs.”
Confusion and subjectivity: “As currently written, we believe the E.O. will create confusion and uncertainty, lead to non-meritorious investigations, and hinder the ability of employers to implement critical programs to promote diversity and combat discrimination in the workplace... Furthermore, there is a great deal of subjectivity around how certain content would be perceived by different individuals.”
“Employers are concerned [the EO] will invite non-meritorious complaints from employees who may be disgruntled about a range of different matters” … and “[e]ven if a company is ultimately found to be in compliance, it will still have to undergo OFCCP’s investigative process, which represents a not insignificant burden.”
In California, polls are showing voters are likely to reject Proposition 16, a state ballot measure that would allow an applicant’s race and gender to be considered in public college admissions and public-sector hiring. Despite a summer of racial justice activism, a recent poll found just 31% support Prop 16, while 47% lean no and 22% are undecided.
Going forward: The business community is "firmly committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing employees the necessary training to reinforce this goal.”