Enough Lip Service to Racial Equality. Companies Can Do More
Since George Floyd’s death, the corporate world has opened up about its lack of diversity. But not enough has actually changed.
People march in remembrance of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Photographer: Kerem Yucel/AFP
Investors have demanded that company bosses do more than just condemn racism, shaming them into releasing previously unseen data on workforce diversity. It’s a step forward, but it’s too soon to say this spells real progress toward equality. Companies need to lay out what they plan to do with the information — or face more heat.
In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd, investors dialed up pressure on the corporate sector to act. Among the most high-profile campaigns was New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s call for 67 major U.S. companies to release their so-called EEO-1 submissions. These forms classify employees by race, gender and ethnicity in 10 job categories and need be revealed only to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.