New DEI Guidance Ties Federal Funding to Compliance and Provides Roadmap for Employers: Your 6 Biggest Takeaways
Federal officials just issued another warning that employers may be at risk of losing federal funding – including grant funding – if their DEI or similar programs violate anti-discrimination laws. Recent guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) signals that now is a good time to ensure your programs align with legal standards. The July 29 guidance reminds all federal agencies and recipients of federal funding that programs should not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics “no matter the program’s labels, objectives, or intentions.” The DOJ also suggested best practices for creating compliant programs. While these practices are not required, all organizations and HR departments can use the guidance as a roadmap. This is the latest in a string of directives from the Trump administration clarifying how the administration interprets existing federal civil rights laws to apply to diversity, equity, and inclusion prog...