Most Organizations Maintain DEI Functions Despite Federal Policy Changes, HR.com Poll Finds

A recent poll from HR.com’s HR Research Institute reveals that most organizations have not yet made changes to their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion functions despite new guidance and executive orders from the Trump Administration. Based on responses from 784 HR professionals collected during January and February 2025, the study found that 58% report their organizations’ DEI or similar functions remain unchanged in both name and structure as of February 22.

Only 8% of respondents indicated their organizations have made changes to the DEI function associated with renaming, restructuring, or both, while 3% have completely discontinued their DEI or similar programs. Notably, 24% of organizations never had a DEI function to begin with, and 8% cited other changes or circumstances ranging from uncertainty to ongoing evaluation. The research aimed to understand how organizations are adapting their DEI efforts in today’s evolving workplace environment, particularly following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in college admissions.

Since January 2025, President Donald Trump has accelerated change through executive orders dismantling DEI programs across federal agencies, the military, educational institutions, and federal contractors, aiming to restore merit-based practices. These actions have led to significant policy shifts including termination of DEI initiatives in federal agencies, cessation of race-conscious admissions in military academies, and revocation of affirmative action requirements for federal contractors. While these orders do not directly control DEI programs in private-sector companies without federal contracts, they have created a regulatory and political environment influencing organizational approaches to DEI.

The evolving landscape has also seen increased liability risks linked to reverse discrimination claims, causing some organizations to reevaluate their DEI strategies while navigating compliance requirements, public discourse, and evolving interpretations of anti-discrimination law. More research on this topic is being conducted by HR.com's HR Research Institute, with a full report summary scheduled for release in late April 2025. HR professionals can participate in ongoing studies through the Future of DEIB 2025 Study and access research reports on various HR topics through the institute’s resources.