What is DEI – Really?

[HighStepper]

There a number of threads in the political forum that mention DEI. It is clear that there is not a consensus among posters as to the term's meaning. It seems comments are often based on biased perceptions.

• Trump's Stupid War on "DEI"
  
• He Just Can't Help Himself
  
• Los Angeles Fires (thread split) "What we need are fire hydrants that work and non-DEI fire chiefs who are competent."

There is no evidence to suggest that DEI hires are less competent employees. In fact, DEI efforts aim to ensure that competent, qualified, and talented people are recruited and hired, and that the pool of applicants is broader and wider than before. However, some employees may feel less positively about diversity efforts at work

• DEI: Advancing Merit-Based Hiring That Makes Companies More Profitable And Competitive. Forbes Magazine
  
• Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion practices into core business planning can provide a competitive edge. MIT Sloan Management Review
  
• DEI is becoming less popular with U.S. workers.
  Link
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  Pew Research
  
  Is DEI the same as affirmative action programs. AI answer
  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and affirmative action are related, but they are not the same.
  Affirmative action is a set of policies and practices designed to address past discrimination and promote opportunities for historically marginalized groups, often through measures such as targeted recruitment, quotas, and preferential hiring. It typically focuses on achieving specific numerical goals related to the representation of minority groups in education and employment.
  DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives are broader and more holistic. They aim to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their background. DEI encompasses a wide range of activities, including:
  •   Promoting diversity in hiring and promotion
  •   Fostering an inclusive workplace culture
  •   Providing training and education on unconscious bias and cultural competency
  •   Developing policies that ensure equitable treatment for all employees
  In summary, while affirmative action is often one component of a broader DEI strategy, DEI initiatives go beyond just achieving diversity numbers to foster a truly inclusive and equitable environment.
  Some people might oppose DEI because they believe it is unfair. If the opposition is the belief that certain groups don't deserve equal opportunities because they are inherently inferior that could be considered racist, sexist, ageist.
  
  IMO If incompetent people are hired, it reflects on poor screening practices. by the management that oversees the hiring process.  If managers hire incompetent people to meet a minority quota, the manger engaging in this behavior should be fired.
  
   
  

[Hobby]

In government jobs there are plenty of incompetent people.  The state of California is notorious for hiring them. 

Managers are appointed from within. 

[HighStepper]

In government jobs there are plenty of incompetent people.  The state of California is notorious for hiring them. 

Managers are appointed from within. 

I've worked in both the private sector and government. As an administrator/manager I hired people. California's hiring procedures actually exceeded those in private industry. Outstanding people with superior competencies were hired. The problem is from being ground up by the bureaucracy and de-motivated by onerous policies and procedures. (this is a whole another discussion) People that started out as competent, then became complacent.

[HighStepper]

WRONG
DEI applicants were pushed ahead of qualified individuals to satisfy politics..
Example of attempting to put a person in FAA with no qualifications.
Yes this person withdrew himself.
Phillip Washington was picked by Biden to head FAA and did not know a thing about aviation.

The idea that DEI applicants are pushed ahead of more qualified individuals is a common misconception. DEI doesn't mean that less qualified individuals are given preference; rather, it means that the hiring process takes into account a broader range of qualifications and experiences that might have been overlooked in the past.

When it comes to political appointments by presidents the selection of poor picks is replete with examples.

[Danno]

Hiring process at a local college I worked for, 33yrs, the interview is with a panel of 7 people. The Trade being hired has 4 on it, they supply the questions. Everyone ask the same questions to every one interviewed. They are all scored on if the answer is correct. 

[Bande]

I've worked in both the private sector and government. As an administrator/manager I hired people. California's hiring procedures actually exceeded those in private industry. Outstanding people with superior competencies were hired. The problem is from being ground up by the bureaucracy and de-motivated by onerous policies and procedures. (this is a whole another discussion) People that started out as competent, then became complacent.

Things have changed since you worked for the State. It is not the same standards...
DEI has been promoted above qualified people.. It is reverting back now..

[bats]

Apparently the Trump administration is confused about this as well.

Today, the White House issued a proclamation observing February as Black History Month. The proclamation states that President Trump calls on "public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."

Meanwhile, over at the Pentagon, the Defense Intelligence Agency issued a memo instructing its workforce that the agency has "paused" observances like Black History Month as they try to comply with two of Trump's executive orders.

[HighStepper]

Years ago I remember hearing sports writers and sports commentators saying black football players were not smart enough to be quarterback. A number of  Authors have written about this John Feinstein , Jason Reid, Lauren Johnston in full disclosure I have not fully read them.

Warren Moon was encouraged to switch position from quarterback. Moon, after winning MVP of the Rose Bowl, was overlooked by NFL teams, played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) before making it to the NFL.
Black quarterback Donovan McNabb Donovan with the Eagles  was considered by sports commentators to be the equivalent of a DEI hire. Statistically McNabb had performed better in his first four seasons than Hall of Fame Quarterbacks John Elway and Brett Farvre.

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At the start of the 2024 NFL season, there are 15 Black quarterbacks who were starters. I seriously doubt that any of them were DEI hires.

[bats]

Years ago I remember hearing sports writers and sports commentators saying black football players were not smart enough to be quarterback. A number of  Authors have written about this John Feinstein , Jason Reid, Lauren Johnston in full disclosure I have not fully read them.

I remember those days. Sometimes there'd be black college quarterbacks, but when it came time for the NFL the league usually wanted to make them wideouts.