On March 19, Andrea Lucas (Republican appointee), Acting Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, released a document titled, “What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work,” offering guidance regarding how employers’ diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives may intersect with federal anti-discrimination laws. Continue Reading ›
The government provides its perspective on DEI. Continue Reading ›
Less than two weeks after President Donald J. Trump signed two executive orders dismantling diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, the constitutionality of the EOs is being challenged. Continue Reading ›
Since the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Students for Fair Admission, we have observed an increase in “reverse” discrimination claims where members of a majority group, such as whites or males, allege discrimination based on race, sex, or sexual orientation. Significantly, the Court has agreed to consider the standard for analyzing these discrimination claims in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services. Continue Reading ›
Inexorable. Something that cannot be moved, stopped, persuaded, or altered. Continue Reading ›
Spoiler alert: DEI policy wasn't enough to establish discrimination. Continue Reading ›
Wait, not everything about DEI on the internet is true? Continue Reading ›
How prepared is your organization? Continue Reading ›
State Attorney General follows through on threat. Continue Reading ›
A bill to "dismantle" DEI was introduced in Congress. Continue Reading ›
Employers are increasingly focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, but DEI policies and practices often overlook issues relating to gender identity. Continue Reading ›
Diversity efforts are not synonymous with discrimination. Continue Reading ›
Chief Justice Roberts did say, "eliminating race discrimination means eliminating all of it." Continue Reading ›
The New England winter brings its usual charm in our neck of the wood, but for me, the excitement lies elsewhere - catching up on Oscar-nominated films before the big night. As the Oscar season approaches, I eagerly anticipate hosting my annual Oscar Party - a cherished tradition that brings together friends, family, fashion, film, and food. However, this year, the buzz surrounding the awards had a distinct undercurrent. The Academy's 2020 commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives sparked a range of opinions regarding this year's nominees and the selection process. Continue Reading ›
Most companies invest time, energy, and money in marketing strategies to attract and retain their clients or customers. Companies spend significant resources on market research that tells them how to do this best. Organizations train, incentivize, reward, and promote employees who do this well. Companies often revise and upgrade strategies based on customer reviews and feedback. Most industries have considerable data analytics to help them maintain a competitive edge. However, emerging data reveals that most employers do not invest meaningfully in understanding their own employees’ experiences to minimize attrition. Continue Reading ›
President Biden’s nominee for the United States Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, begins her Senate confirmation hearing today. It marks a historic moment for our country. If she is confirmed, Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman, the sixth woman, and the third Black justice to be on the Supreme Court. For nearly two centuries, the Court's bench consisted exclusively of white men - of the 120 Supreme Court Justices since its creation, 115 have been men and 117 have been white. Continue Reading ›
February marked our nation’s annual celebration of Black History. For twenty-eight days—and sometimes twenty-nine—we look back and acknowledge the accomplishments of African Americans and the impact they have had on our nation and society. Many see this as the time to research and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to this nation. Often these contributions include unfathomable loss and sacrifice intended to push our country to be a more equitable society. And while this month means so much to me, I can’t help but feel that Black History has been relegated to the proverbial “back of the bus,” treated separate and distinct from the rest of American History. Continue Reading ›
Building a diverse workforce has become a key business strategy, especially in today’s fast-paced, global marketplace. But, making profound shifts in the makeup of a workforce cannot be achieved overnight. There is also no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving a diverse workplace, but one key strategy is to examine how your current workforce feels. Yes, feels. Marketing is about how a product or service makes you feel. And, your employees are your best marketing tool. Continue Reading ›
I heard a story recently where a (very well intentioned) individual said he felt compelled to speak up about sexual harassment he witnessed at work because he had a daughter. He felt that by coming forward in this situation involving a female coworker, he was taking a step so his daughter would have a better future. Continue Reading ›
First black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court. Continue Reading ›
Like most of you, 2021 has been sort of surreal. After more than a year of some hybrid form of working from home with your “pod” of people (family, friends, or some combination thereof), where our collective 24/7 life cycle consisted of wake, eat, work, yell at your kids/friends/pets, maybe shower, binge watch a show, maybe exercise, maybe drink, and then repeat in some similar order again … and again. The light at the end of the COVID tunnel seemed elusive, and for some it still is. Continue Reading ›
UPDATE: (6/17/21) The SCOTUS ruled in the Fulton v City of Philadelphia case mentioned in this blog post. The SCOTUS unanimously decided that Philadelphia does not have the right bar a religious agency from refusing to work with same-sex couples.
June is Pride month, which celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Allies and Pansexual (LGBTQIA+) persons. The annual recognition of Pride is in June to honor the Stonewall Riots of 1969. The Stonewall Riots occurred in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The raid lead to days of protests and clashes with law enforcement because of the violent way employees and patrons of the Stonewall Inn were treated during the raid. Although there have been gay rights organizations founded since the 1920’s, the Stonewall Uprising is considered by many to have kicked off a gay rights movement both in the United States and world-wide. As a result, there has been some progress. Continue Reading ›
EDITORS' NOTE: At Constangy, we like to say that DEI is in our DNA. Like many in the world, we in the DEI Practice Group are inspired by current events and strive to channel that inspiration to support and drive change within ourselves and with our clients. Neil Wasser, one of our Partners and Chair of our Firm’s Executive Committee, shared a personal message yesterday. His words and leadership resonated so strongly, and we would like to share them with you (with his permission, of course).
- Lara and Punam Continue Reading ›
Sharpen Your FOCUS offers timely insights into the legal and practical dimensions of DEI, accessibility, and belonging in the workplace. Drawing from both employer and employee perspectives, we explore emerging topics, shifting legal interpretations, and the real-world impact of inclusive leadership. Thanks for joining the conversation.
