President Donald Trump issued executive orders rolling back DEI efforts across the US, which contributed to job cuts in the public sector and prompted some companies to reconsider their diversity policies. Major corporations - including Meta, McDonald's, and Bank of America - have adjusted their DEI strategies, scaling back public diversity targets and shifting towards ‘merit-based’ hiring practices.

If research found diverse teams are 70% more likely to capture new markets, why is opposition to DEI increasing?  Could this signal a shift for businesses in Ireland as well? With global organisations reassessing their commitments, HR leaders in Ireland face key questions:

•    Does a strong DEI strategy drive business results, or is it just an added expense?
•    How might changing global trends affect Irish workplace policies and expectations?
•    Should businesses double down on inclusion or take a more measured approach?

Julie Holmes from Legal Island and industry experts examine whether businesses should sustain, reshape, or scale back their DEI commitments in response to shifting global trends - and what this means for HR leaders in Ireland.