Corporate inclusion, equity, and diversity (IE&D) programs are facing existential threats in 2025. President Trump kicked off his second term with a series of executive orders taking aim at such efforts and companies continue to face pressure from vocal IE&D critics. This new paradigm presents business leaders with the formidable challenge of balancing the rapidly shifting political landscape with employee expectations and existing IE&D commitments.
With legal and reputational risks front and center, how are organizations responding?
To find out, Littler surveyed nearly 350 C-suite executives from across the U.S., both before and after the presidential inauguration, for its second Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity C-Suite Survey Report. The data reveals that despite the increased scrutiny and growing concerns about legal risks as President Trump pursues anti-IE&D policies, companies are largely maintaining their programs and commitments. This comes as the majority of organizations maintained or even increased their IE&D efforts in 2024. At the same time, the percentage of those that decreased IE&D commitments rose from 6% in Littler's 2024 survey to 24% this year, and responses indicate that higher-risk elements of IE&D programs are likely to face future cuts.
Overall, C-suite leaders are split in their outlook on IE&D, with approximately half anticipating the new administration's policies and IE&D rollbacks by peers to decrease corporate commitments in the coming months. For now, many companies seem to be taking a measured approach and awaiting further developments on the Trump administration's priorities and enforcement plans as they balance the legal risks with the value such programs provide to their workforces.
Download the IE&D C-Suite Survey Report
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