Federal officials are offering new guidance for employees looking to challenge diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the workplace.
 
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released two documents March 19 that seek to frame challenges to DEI practices as a civil rights issue. They include:
“While the public may be confused about what rules apply to DEI, the law itself is clear,” said Andrea Lucas, acting EEOC chair, in announcing the documents. “There are some serious implications for some very popular types of DEI programs. These technical assistance documents will help employees know their rights and help employers take action to avoid unlawful DEI-related discrimination.”
 
In the documents, the EEOC provides examples of DEI-related discrimination, including taking an employment action motivated (in whole or in part) by race, sex or another protected characteristic; limiting membership in workplace groups, such as employment resource groups, to certain protected groups; and retaliation to “reasonable opposition to a DEI training.”