Employers face numerous legal and workplace complexities in managing their inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) programs, from the repercussions of the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decisions to new anti-IE&D state laws and mounting calls for corporate leaders to take a stance on social issues.

How are employers responding to this critically important – and increasingly embattled – workplace issue?

Littler’s Inclusion, Equity and Diversity C-Suite Survey Report gathers insights from more than 320 C-suite executives located across the U.S. on their organizations’ IE&D commitments and the steps being taken to advance these goals.

Despite legal challenges and backlash toward corporate diversity programs, the survey finds most employers staying committed to, or even expanding, their efforts. Many have also taken a range of actions to support IE&D goals – including providing training and educational resources to employees and elevating diverse employees to leadership positions – though there remains room for growth in the additional steps taken. Notably, the survey revealed sharp differences in perspectives between Chief Legal Officers and Chief Diversity Officers on IE&D programs and approaches, demonstrating how outlooks are diverging as such initiatives face new legal and political challenges.

Download the IE&D C-Suite Survey Report