The future of affirmative action in the workplace

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece here in Vox or enjoy below

🗞 Driving the news: As 2020's racial reckoning gives way to a potential rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, corporate America and employment law face a crossroads
• The U.S. Supreme Court's ban on race-conscious admissions in colleges raises questions about potential impacts on employment diversity practices

🔭 The context: Since 1965, federal contractors have been mandated to take affirmative action towards fairness in hiring, a policy signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII also prohibited employment discrimination. However, the recent Supreme Court's ruling may lead to corporations scaling back DEI initiatives 

🌍  Why it matters for the Planet: Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are considered essential for innovation, employee retention, and overall company success
• The retreat from DEI initiatives threatens these benefits and could deepen the racial disparities in the employment sector

⏭️ What's next: Experts predict an increase in lawsuits challenging race-conscious policies in employment, spurred on by the Supreme Court's decision
• The future of diversity in the workforce now hinges on how companies, law enforcement bodies, and the judiciary interpret and apply the existing laws surrounding affirmative action in employment

💬 One quote: "The legal answer is nothing. [The Supreme Court's decision] was decided under the equal protection clause of the Constitution, which does not apply to private employers," (Pauline Kim, employment law expert at the Washington University)

Click for more news covering the latest on Sustainable Lifestyle