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[RECAP] AI x HR Conference Notes

[RECAP] AI x HR Conference Notes

Here are the highlights from our jam-packed sessions:

Mariam Mushtaq
July 15, 2024

In today’s edition

Re-cap | AI x HR Mini-Conference
What’s all the noise about?
Challenging Anti-DEI Efforts at Work
HR stories, experiences and frustrations 📝
Top 3 HR Reads for You 📚️

Re-cap | AI x HR Mini-Conference

Our recent Virtual Conference was a huge success, bringing together HR professionals from around the globe to explore the future of HR with AI.

Here are the highlights from our jam-packed sessions:

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the success of this event.

Join the AI x HR Community to be the first one to know about our next mini-conference and more.

What’s all the noise about?

When I was pursuing my master’s degree in HR, I eagerly joined the SHRM student chapter at Wayne State University.

As an excited and determined student ready to start my career, I looked up to this organization immensely.

It's… disheartening to see what it has become today.

Some people have asked, "What's the big deal? It's just an acronym." But it’s not just about the acronym - it’s about what we stand for and represent as HR professionals.

Organizations have already been struggling with diversity initiatives, leading to DEIB professionals being laid off and companies diluting their diversity programs.

Starting in late 2020, a host of companies escalated cuts of DEI professionals, a survey of more than 600 companies from data firm Revelio Labs found.

Source

Another example of organizations deprioritizing DEI efforts - This firm said that it would retire diversity, equity and inclusion targets.

It will also eliminate DEI roles and withdraw its carbon emission goals in an effort to ensure its “activities and giving tie directly to our business.”

source

So, when the largest HR association drops one of the most crucial aspects of DEIB, of course, there's going to be backlash. If you want to lead with inclusion, then do it - but why drop equity?

"SHRM CEO Johnny Taylor Jr. said the term 'equity' is confusing and gets in the way of productive conversations about making workplaces more inclusive of all people and viewpoints."

Why keep changing the acronym? From DE&I to IE&D to I&D – if acronyms don't matter that much, what’s all this really about? How has this really been productive?

If you feel the same way, here’s a link to the petition -> HR Voices Opposing SHRM

source: i hate it here

Challenging Anti-DEI Efforts at Work

Let’s talk about how we can combat anti-DEI efforts at work as HR professionals.

Blockquote: ICYMI - MEI—which stands for merit, excellence, and intelligence—is quickly becoming the preferred acronym among anti-DEI leaders.

Source

Fear of Reverse Discrimination

This fear stems from the belief that lifting someone up must mean bringing someone else down, but that is not the aim of diversity initiatives.

The purpose of DEI is to level the playing field—not by taking things away—but by rectifying historical imbalances while ensuring fair treatment for all.

The “curb cut effect” can help reframe this argument against DEI. Those small ramps in sidewalks at street intersections—initially installed to aid wheelchair users—eventually benefited many others, such as parents with strollers, travelers with wheeled luggage, and delivery workers with carts.

Talking about the ROI

Diversity has also proven to be good for business. Several studies indicate that companies with higher levels of diversity are not only more innovative but also more profitable. Example -

World Economic Forum research shows that companies with above-average diversity scores drive 45% average revenue from innovation,
A McKinsey & Company study showed that companies in the top 25% for racial/ethnic and gender diversity were respectively 36% and 25% more likely to have superior financial returns.

By addressing DEI efforts this way, you can help reframe your colleagues’ understanding of the need for and benefits of DEIB work.

To all the HR pros who strongly advocate for DEIB and might be feeling discouraged - we have come really far and there’s a long way to go. Keep fighting the good fight :)

Source: (FC), others

HR stories, experiences and frustrations 📝

What's the HR function you enjoy the least?

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Today’s HR Reads for You 📚️

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