Maybe you saw the headlines last week that T-Mobile is ending its DEI program “as it awaits regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission for two acquisition deals.”
T-Mobile’s letter to the FCC said the company would end its DEI policies “not just in name, but in substance,” that staff “will no longer have any individual roles or teams focused on DEI,” and that the company “is also removing any references to DEI on its websites and will ensure that company websites and future communications do not have any references to DEI.”
This all sounds like T-Mobile has abandoned DEI, right?
Except it isn’t really. If you read their letter carefully, what they are actually doing is ending the use of certain words – but it appears the programs will remain in place:
- “… the handful of T-Mobile employees who focused on diversity and inclusion will be redirected within Human Resources to focus on employee culture and engagement.”
- Communications and messaging will continue to be “consistent with T-Mobile’s commitment to promote nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity.”
- “We are committed to ensuring that job opportunities are accessible to everyone. In this vein, we affirm that our recruitment practices and hiring decisions are consistent with guidance released by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”
- “By offering development opportunities to everyone, we ensure that we support the needs of our entire workforce, which in turn supports the variety of communities where we recruit our employees and serve our customers. We commit to continuing this practice…”
- “T-Mobile’s ERGs [Employee Resource Groups] will remain centrally managed with corporate oversight and preapproval of any social and cultural events. ERGs will continue to remain open to all, regardless of any protected characteristic.”
I don’t have visibility into the details of the company’s program, but T-Mobile seems to have done little more than eliminate the words “diversity, equity and inclusion” and “DEI.” Or am I missing something?
Members can learn more about DEI matters such as ethnicity and race here.
If you’re not already a member, sign up now and take advantage of our no-risk “100-Day Promise” – during the first 100 days as an activated member, you may cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. But it will probably pay for itself before then.
Are you a client of one of our Partners – SourceIntelligence, Kumi, Ecolumix, Elm Consulting Group International or Impakt IQ? Contact them for exclusive pricing packages for PracticalESG.
Practical Guidance for Companies, Curated for Clarity.
Photo credit: JHVEPhoto – stock.adobe.com
