By: Jessica Gendron
There I was, sitting with my extended family on Super Bowl Sunday. Gathered around the television, I casually watched the game enough to periodically shout, “Go Taylor’s boyfriend!” or “Go Taylor’s boyfriend’s friends!” only to elicit a groan and a side-eye from my older sister. As the game transitioned to commercials, we tuned in closer, as many of us do, hoping to catch “the one” everyone would be talking about on Monday morning. What that “one” was, I wasn’t sure.
That was until the Dove commercial came on. It was set to the tune “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” featuring young girls falling while playing or practicing a sport. The commercial then cuts to a blank screen, saying, “The knocks don’t stop girls from playing sports; low body confidence does.” The commercial then shared that 45% of girls quit sports by age 14. Woof. As someone who played sports as a girl, this commercial felt like a punch in the gut. It certainly resonated with me. As I anticipated, it was one of the commercials people were talking about on Monday morning.
I’m not here to discuss the merits of the Dove commercial, though. We’ll leave that to qualified marketing professionals. However, later that day, as I scrolled through some of my favorite business sites, I found an article in Fast Company titled, “Zoom laid off its DEI team – and it’s not the only company making such cuts.” It struck me nearly as much as the Dove commercial the night before. The article discusses the growing trend in tech and other sectors where companies are disinvesting in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives – even after the promises they made in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the social unrest that followed.
While I could write another article about the merits of DEI programs and why disinvesting in these programs is bad (which I probably will), that’s not where my head went immediately. My brain, still lingering on the Dove commercial, was considering the implications of companies scaling back their investment in DEI programs and practices and what we know about GenZ.
I wondered, what’s the long-term impact on the next generation of the workforce?
The intersection of the Dove commercial’s message and the trend of companies disinvesting in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives raises significant concerns about the future workforce. As we contemplate the implications, it becomes evident that the decisions companies make today can shape the landscape for the next generation of employees.
The Dove commercial highlights the issue of low body confidence leading to a high dropout rate of girls in sports. This resonates with broader societal challenges related to stereotypes and discrimination that can affect individuals’ confidence and participation in various fields. If companies neglect DEI initiatives, they risk perpetuating biases and systemic issues that hinder the growth and inclusion of diverse talent.
Moreover, the current trend of scaling back on DEI programs could create a less inclusive work environment. Gen Z, known for its diversity and strong emphasis on workplace culture, might be deterred from companies that do not prioritize inclusivity. This poses a risk for businesses, as attracting and retaining top talent is crucial for long-term success.
Additionally, a lack of investment in DEI initiatives may perpetuate existing disparities in leadership positions. Companies that fail to foster an inclusive culture may struggle to provide equal opportunities for employees of all backgrounds, hindering the advancement of diverse talent into leadership roles.
In the long term, the ripple effects of diminished DEI efforts could result in a less equitable and dynamic workforce. As the global economy evolves, businesses that embrace diversity and inclusion are better positioned to adapt, innovate, and thrive. Therefore, the decisions made today regarding DEI initiatives carry profound implications for the workforce’s future and the organizations’ overall success.