{"id":23782,"date":"2025-04-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.labrador-transparency.com\/?p=23782"},"modified":"2026-06-05T06:06:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T05:06:21","slug":"to-say-or-not-to-say-and-how-to-say-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.labrador-transparency.com\/en\/blog\/to-say-or-not-to-say-and-how-to-say-it\/","title":{"rendered":"To Say or Not to Say (and How to Say It): That is the DEI\u00a0question facing companies in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"23782\" class=\"elementor elementor-23782\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c1e8cd6 e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7c1e8cd6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db44fea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"db44fea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where We Are and How We Got Here<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1233ad7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1233ad7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Over the past five to ten years, stakeholders have increasingly focused on social topics related to diversity of company directors and employees as well as the related concepts of equity and inclusion in hiring, retention, compensation, and day\u2011to\u2011day workplace experiences both within the company and in its supply chain. In August 2020, in response to investors seeking more comparable information across companies, the SEC adopted new rules requiring human capital management disclosures in Annual Reports on Form\u00a010\u2011K. Institutional investors and proxy advisory firms adopted policies with thresholds for female and racially diverse directors on boards, with increased engagement around these areas and the promise of votes against committee chairs and other directors for those companies who failed to meet or provide plans on how to meet such minimum requirements. Shareholder proposals advancing HCM and DEI, such as racial equity audits, have been increasingly used by proponents during this time. As a result, we have seen a significant proliferation of disclosure of HCM and DEI across the reporting suite, including the Form\u00a010\u2011K, proxy statements, sustainability reporting, and standalone DEI reports.<\/p><p>Then, in June 2023 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, and multiple state attorneys general subsequently sent letters to businesses warning of potential legal consequences over race\u2011based employment and diversity policies. Thereafter, as anti\u2011DEI sentiment began to increase, companies began to receive anti\u2011DEI shareholder proposals. In December 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit struck down the Nasdaq board diversity rules (including the requirement for a board diversity matrix). Finally, in late January 2025, Executive Order 14173 titled \u201cEnding Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit\u2011Based Opportunity\u201d was signed, which eliminates all federal DEI initiatives, including those of government contractors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d15356 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9d15356\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.labrador-transparency.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/chart.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-23126\" alt=\"chart\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.labrador-transparency.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/chart.webp 842w, https:\/\/www.labrador-transparency.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/chart-300x177.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.labrador-transparency.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/chart-768x454.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a9b924 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a9b924\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Companies were left wondering what they could and should say about DEI in their upcoming reporting. Many companies quickly removed previous sustainability and DEI reporting and updated their websites to avoid new scrutiny as they determine the implications of the executive order on their past and future\u00a0reporting.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-567f61f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"567f61f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How (and if) to report has been top of mind for companies and their attorneys.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5de6b15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5de6b15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To complicate things even further, investor and other stakeholder expectations have not necessarily changed \u2013 and many employees and customers have been swiftly reactionary against companies who have publicly disavowed existing DEI programs in response to the executive order. Some companies have strongly reaffirmed their commitment to DEI. So far in 2025, anti\u2011DEI shareholder proposals were emphatically rejected by shareholders at Apple, Costco, and John Deere. Large institutional investors and proxy advisors are making changes to policy and voting guidelines around diversity but remain focused on oversight of strategy and core governance topics; they also may be less willing to engage given recently updated SEC guidance on Schedule 13D\/13G qualifications. Add to all of this the fact that existing rules (such as the HCM disclosure requirements and EEO\u20111 reporting) and non\u2011US regulatory regimes (like the EU\u2019s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive or other DEI disclosure rules) continue to require certain HCM and DEI related reporting.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c80910 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c80910\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What This Means for 2024 Sustainability Reports <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-417e736 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"417e736\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Based on our discussions with clients as well as other industry experts, we share the following observations:<\/p><ul><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The approach to content and disclosure are dependent on each company\u2019s <\/span><b>appetite for risk <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and should be <\/span><b>considered holistically <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">across all reporting and disclosure locations for consistency.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><b>Legal risk remains uncertain <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with regard to presentation of demographic data and goals, and additional changes and pronouncements may be yet to come on a variety of sustainability\u2011related topics.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reports are expected to become <\/span><b>more qualitative than quantitative<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, at least in the near term, as companies work to determine where the permissible lines are, how broadly problematic concepts should be construed, potential enforcement actions, and what additional changes may lie ahead.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reports will likely also become <\/span><b>shorter, more succinct, and more precise <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overall, with a stronger focus on sustainability topics that are tied directly to long\u2011term business success (i.e., financially material topics).<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>For many companies, the timing of reports will be <\/span><b>delayed <\/b><span>this year, both as a result of companies working to determine their go forward approach and also allowing multiple subject matter specific reports to be combined into a singular, comprehensive document.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8be7b12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8be7b12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Considerations for Drafting Disclosures Right Now<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84492a5 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84492a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For companies currently working on their 2024 sustainability reports, we offer the following considerations as you begin drafting and updating your report:<\/p><ul><li>What to call the policies and initiatives formerly known as DEI:<ul><li>As noted below, based on the changes made in filings so far this year, many companies are removing references to diversity or DEI and are moving to inclusion and\/or belonging.<\/li><li>Where discussion of diversity remains, it is usually limited to \u201cdiverse populations,\u201d \u201cdiversity of perspectives, background, or experience [and skills, in the case of directors],\u201d or workforce metrics (linked to EEO\u20111 categories), rather than an overarching principle like DEI.<\/li><li>The focus has shifted to overall corporate culture and fairness, as well as workforce and talent development, which may include employee engagement.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>DEI disclosures have become more cautious:<ul><li>U.S. companies are likely to continue some or all of their existing programs and still make progress across many sustainability areas, though we have observed that many are choosing to alter how (and\u00a0if) they disclose it in their reporting.<\/li><li>Many\/most companies will remove DEI\u2011related goals, especially anything that might be perceived as a quota. To the extent that they are non\u2011numeric goals, companies can absorb the discussion into the narrative discussion of other HCM\u2011related topics.<\/li><li>Many companies will be more careful in how DEI\u2011related achievements and progress are disclosed, if at all; infographics highlighting DEI\u2011related topics are likely to decrease across reporting and replaced with more narrative to allow for increased explanatory context around such topics.<\/li><li>Previous DEI\u2011specific sections of reports will likely be removed (or renamed) with components of these discussions embedded in other HCM sections.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Investors still want to understand the meaning and impact of sustainability\u2011related risks and opportunities; therefore, as reports scale back or become more data\u2011driven, the need to provide context and effectively communicate the big picture becomes even more important.<\/li><li>As always, companies should anchor their discussions in how HCM programs (including DEI, of any name) support overall corporate strategy. Similarly, demonstrating how these programs drive value creation remains increasingly important this year (that is, explaining why we are doing what we are doing and how it is good for our business).<\/li><li>Stakeholders, as well as raters and rankers, will likely pay attention to the deletion of information and draw their own conclusions. From a ratings standpoint, companies can anticipate that their scores will be impacted due to the absence of information \u2013 while this should not be outcome determinative for most, this will create increased visibility for other stakeholders and require pre\u2011emptive explanation for boards of directors and executive teams so that they are not caught by surprise. Customers, employees, certain investors, and even suppliers may question a company\u2019s reversal of its commitments, leading to reputational damage due to a loss of trust in the company, its business practices, and its disclosures. Transparency may help to mitigate risk. One recently published sustainability report directly addressed such changes in its message from the CEO and as part of the introductory overview of sustainability\u00a0approach.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c91007b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c91007b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Observations and Examples from Early SEC Filings<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d83c80b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d83c80b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">So how are companies charting this unfamiliar territory so far?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-528b57e bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"528b57e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To begin to identify trends or changes in approach from prior years, we reviewed the Annual Reports filed after January\u00a021, 2025 (the day after issuance of Executive Order 14173), as well as a meaningful sampling of the definitive and preliminary proxy statements available through March 17, 2025, for the S&amp;P 500. Notably, due to the typical January year end, retail companies were not captured as part of this review nor were other industries or companies with a non\u2011calendar fiscal year end, which could impact overall approach to disclosure trends.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72453e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"72453e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Annual Reports on Form\u00a010\u2011K \u2013 Trends &amp; Observations:<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47108d8 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47108d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Nearly half of the companies removed all (or nearly all) discussion of DEI and approximately one\u2011third modified the terms used to describe these programs and\/or modified the approach to the continuing disclosures. The remainder continued with the same disclosure in 2025 as they included in 2024\u00a0\u2013 of these, notably several already used the term inclusion and not diversity in their reporting.<\/li><li>We noted increased inclusion of risk factors related to reputational risk associated with DEI or anti\u2011DEI sentiment, as well as pertaining to the executive order itself (especially for those companies who have government contracts).<\/li><li>Companies who maintained some disclosure typically moved away from the terms diversity and DEI and its related acronyms, replacing it with the terms inclusion and\/or belonging. Other notable terms were \u201cInclusion and Opportunity\u201d and a \u201cworkforce grounded in meritocracy.\u201d<\/li><li>Many who removed the DEI section continued to mention inclusion in their discussion of employee engagement results or as part of their culture, values, or strategy discussions \u2013 and, as noted above, some added a related risk factor.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adcc467 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"adcc467\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of companies that maintained prior year DEI\u2011related disclosures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d562e4 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d562e4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b545df e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8b545df\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9cf83b e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c9cf83b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c12caa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c12caa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">HEALTHCARE<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28db712 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"28db712\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Continued to discuss \u201cdiversity and inclusion\u201d<\/li><li>Removed references to outcomes, commitments, and specific DEI percentages related to gender and\u00a0\u201cminorities\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9e2f28 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c9e2f28\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80804d3 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"80804d3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c53ec9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c53ec9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">REAL ESTATE  <br>INVESTMENT TRUST<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8979a33 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8979a33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>\u00a0Revised title to \u201cInclusion and Diversity\u201d (from D&amp;I)<\/li><li>Removed reference to commitment to promoting and achieving greater workplace\u00a0diversity<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7efa20 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b7efa20\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4456ba e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b4456ba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b551c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b551c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AIRLINE<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d10a507 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d10a507\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Continued use of Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in heading<\/li><li>Strengthened discussion of how DEI is embedded in, and important, to business<\/li><li>Increased discussion of merit\u2011based hiring and\u00a0promotions<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dc8de2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9dc8de2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Note: in many cases, companies who maintained their existing disclosures already used broader references for DEI concepts or had minimal disclosures; a smaller minority of this group opted to continue their expanded disclosures of DEI<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3830b3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3830b3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of companies that deleted DEI\u2011related disclosures <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ec9e8f e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3ec9e8f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc8405c e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cc8405c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee52e93 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ee52e93\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27c527f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"27c527f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FINANCIAL <br>TECHNOLOGY<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c78811 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c78811\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Removed references to DEI<\/li><li>Significantly abbreviated HCM discussion, removing paragraphs related to employee engagement, wellness, and DEI<\/li><li>Continued to provide percentages of global gender diversity and US ethnic diversity alongside total employee count and percentage by region<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc60932 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fc60932\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6936aef e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6936aef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9975534 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9975534\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GLOBAL FINANCIAL <br>INSTITUTION<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68b2aa7 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"68b2aa7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Removed multi\u2011paragraph discussion of diversity and\u00a0inclusion<\/li><li>Added two sentences to discussion of development and retention that related to promotion of diversity and inclusion and networks that advance these goals; also added mention of inclusive merit\u2011based promotions<\/li><li>Deleted reference to diversity goals under Forward\u2011Looking\u00a0Statements<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-542e551 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"542e551\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c6b70e e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3c6b70e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdc949c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fdc949c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AGRICULTURE<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96f8384 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"96f8384\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Removed DEI section<\/li><li>Replaced with Culture section that speaks to culture of belonging<\/li><li>Removed tabular presentation of gender and ethnic\/racial diversity of executive officers<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bae2bc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bae2bc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Note: while this group made wholesale deletions of the term DEI and related disclosures, many added or maintained passing references to inclusion or belonging in HCM or in the larger discussion of the company and its culture<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0c60a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d0c60a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of companies that significantly modified DEI\u2011related disclosures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b30fc5 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9b30fc5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a08ec88 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a08ec88\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da04ed5 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"da04ed5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-218acbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"218acbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PHARMACEUTICAL<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72f01b2 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72f01b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Retained dedicated discussion under HCM, changing to Inclusion (from\u00a0I&amp;D)<\/li><li>Revised to emphasize inclusive practices as integral to culture and as being a business imperative to understanding patients and communities\u00a0served<\/li><li>Added discussion of recent executive orders, including DEI, under Government Regulation section<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afa0297 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"afa0297\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c48968 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c48968\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27af7cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"27af7cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FINANCIAL  <br>MARKETS<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9eb3c4 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9eb3c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Repositioned from D&amp;I to\u00a0inclusion<\/li><li>Removed discussions related to campaigns focused on attracting diverse candidates<\/li><li>Continued discussion of \u201cA\u00a0Culture of Inclusion\u201d under sub\u2011heading, though limited to three pillars of inclusion efforts and deleted substantive discussion of diversity efforts and recognitions<\/li><li>Continued to include workplace demographics, including pie charts with gender and race\/ ethnicity\u00a0breakouts<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dca2414 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dca2414\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-938ff61 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"938ff61\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb62246 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb62246\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">RETAIL HEALTH <br>SOLUTIONS <\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2b4d13 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b2b4d13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Repositioned from DEI and colleague development to aggregated presentation of workforce strategy<\/li><li>Positioned workforce strategy in terms of supporting and advancing strategic priorities<\/li><li>Focus is more on development; much of previous DEI\u2011focused discussion has been omitted (added discussion of respect as cornerstone of culture)<\/li><li>Includes cross reference to annual sustainability report for more information<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8830e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b8830e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><i>Note: companies that maintained disclosures generally moved to a new term of art to explain the company approach and typically shortened their discussions to omit specifics of their programs<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5aa4a8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5aa4a8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of DEI\u2011related risk factors<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d3a8bd e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1d3a8bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d98837a e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d98837a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f22fcc8 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f22fcc8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2dfc4fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2dfc4fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">TRAVEL <br>TECHNOLOGY<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05110d2 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"05110d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Maintained existing Inclusion and Diversity discussion in HCM<\/p><ul><li>Maintained existing references to DEI in ESG\u2011related risk factor related to increased focus and evolving stakeholder expectations on ESG and potential impact on reputation, employee retention, and willingness of customers and partners to do business with the company<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cbe0f8 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1cbe0f8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a3c463 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3a3c463\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b91539 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b91539\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CONSUMER <br>ELECTRONICS <br>MANUFACTURER<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1af234 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d1af234\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Removed DEI\u2011related disclosures from HCM\u00a0discussion<\/p><ul><li>Added sentence to risk factor regarding dependence on U.S. government contracts and grants to specifically reference the January 2025 executive order and risk of liability if DEI practices are deemed to violate the federal anti\u2011discrimination\u00a0laws<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff1f1b9 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ff1f1b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3372274 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3372274\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39778a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"39778a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS <br>AND SERVICES<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf08c58 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf08c58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Maintained modified disclosures on \u201cbelonging and engagement\u201d<\/p><ul><li>Added new ESG-responsibility risk factor, which addressed both expectations of certain shareholders, customers, employees, and regulators in certain countries as well as anti\u2011ESG sentiment, including the January executive order<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d24768 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d24768\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In addition to the trends and approaches described above, the following observations are also noteworthy to provide a more complete overview of DEI disclosures in recent 10\u2011K filings:<\/p><ul><li>Certain companies are looking to the language of the executive order as they craft their disclosures this year \u2013 there are increased references to \u201cmerit\u2011based\u201d and \u201cmeritocracy;\u201d as well as other terms such as \u201ccognitive diversity.\u201d<\/li><li>While many companies removed narrative discussions of DEI, a number of companies retained demographic breakouts of gender and ethnic\/racial diversity based on EEO\u20111 categories even if they removed the substantive discussions.<\/li><li>Human Capital Management discussions were the most impacted disclosures overall, though the ripple effect through other sections was prevalent as well:<br \/><ul><li>Risk Factors and Forward\u2011Looking Statements (FLS): in a continuing evolution of existing risk factor practices, many companies added or updated risk factors (and similar references in FLS) to remove\/ update existing diversity references, others added new risk factors related to DEI\u2011related risks or anti\u2011DEI sentiment, and some government contractors added a risk factor related directly to the January executive order.<\/li><li>Strategy\/company overview: while some companies globally removed references to DEI across their documents, others used strategy and values statements as an opportunity to retain references to inclusion (and even diversity in a limited number of cases) as important to the company and its strategic priorities even when otherwise removed from HCM discussion.<\/li><li>HCM: even for companies that removed DEI\u2011specific sections of HCM, many included passing references to inclusion or belonging (or similar wording) within other sections of HCM, notably referencing inclusion as part of their employee engagement survey and others continuing to discuss Disability Equality Index scores.<\/li><li>Government Regulation and Legal Matters: certain companies, typically government contractors, added discussions of the recent executive order to government regulation overviews; others included discussions of actual or possible DEI legal proceedings.<\/li><li>Management\u2019s Discussion &amp; Analysis (MD&amp;A): even MD&amp;A was not immune from revision where companies previously mentioned DEI\u2011initiatives but moved away from such disclosures in their more recent reporting.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-669f7b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"669f7b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Proxy Statements \u2013 Trends and Observations:<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31d2af5 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"31d2af5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>We see similar variance in approach as with Annual Reports, with some companies making little change while others are making significant revisions or deletions across the proxy statement.<\/li><li>Areas in which we are observing changes:<ul><li>HCM and sustainability highlights (in introductory pages and\/or the governance discussion) being\u00a0removed.<\/li><li>Some are modifying the board demographic infographics to only include tenure, age, and independence (i.e., removing racial and gender diversity).<\/li><li>Headings such as \u201cBoard Diversity\u201d are being modified to broaden references to \u201cExperience of Director Candidates\u201d or \u201cMix of Experience and Viewpoints\/Perspectives.\u201d<\/li><li>As with the 10\u2011Ks, references to DEI moved to inclusion or similar terms throughout the report (including in executive compensation discussions of \u201cESG\u201d related metrics).<\/li><li>Areas of board oversight as well as descriptions of compensation committee responsibilities either\u00a0omitted DEI entirely or modified terminology in keeping with above.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>By contrast, it is also worth noting that multiple companies retained not only the DEI related infographics but also continued to include a board diversity matrix.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f666e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8f666e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of companies that made large, wholesale changes to remove DEI concepts from proxy\u00a0statement<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f023a4 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7f023a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a09c9dc e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a09c9dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a0a046 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0a0a046\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f55fc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4f55fc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AEROSPACE<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c50574f bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c50574f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Removed sustainability discussion from proxy summary<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replaced diversity in board nominee composition infographics across proxy statement<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modified reference from balanced and diverse board to a highly experienced board<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deleted references to DEI throughout, replaced with HCM or inclusion in certain cases<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substantially revised risk oversight discussion related to sustainability and created new standalone human capital management section, focused on succession planning and culture<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f00cb7 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2f00cb7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f924611 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f924611\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3968652 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3968652\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">BEVERAGE MANUFACTURER<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-242e481 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"242e481\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deleted human capital and sustainability discussions from highlights at outset of proxy<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Removed diversity infographics from nominee demographics (leaving only age and tenure)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revised (or removed) references to DEI throughout, using broader concepts like talent, leadership, and culture; also deleted references to multi\u2011cultural<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updated \u201cDiversity\u201d header to \u201cExperience of Director Candidates,\u201d and also revised discussion to refer to value of range of backgrounds, experiences, skill sets, and perspectives on the board<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retained executive compensation metrics from 2024, changed reference from DEI to inclusion; explained in compensation committee letter that they are removing non\u2011financial measures for 2025 to better align with current business strategy and the external environment<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed9cbe1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ed9cbe1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of companies taking a more moderate approach \u2013 keeping elements of diversity while broadening other references<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16d064f e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"16d064f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c669d9 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c669d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c532f5 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8c532f5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f333e38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f333e38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GLOBAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3b618d bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d3b618d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to include director infographics in proxy summary regarding refreshment,\u00a0<\/span>tenure, age, diversity by race, gender, or sexual orientation, and nominee citizenship, though changed heading to remove reference to diversity and instead used \u201cBoard Composition\u201d<\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to provide diversity identifying information for individual directors (linked in each case to EEO\u20111 categories), including proxy summary and election of directors<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revised other references from [board] diversity to more generalized diversity of viewpoints, skills, and experience (or similar iterations)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broadened references to speak to culture (instead of talent development and diversity of workforce); also changed from \u201cdiversity, equity and inclusion\u201d to \u201cdiversity and inclusion\u201d<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revised description of compensation committee to refer to human capital management broadly (deleting references to diversity and other enumerated categories)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Omitted spotlight on sustainability, including reference to DEI\u2011related standalone reports and references to aspirational diversity goals, EEO\u20111 disclosures, and pay equity practices<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0107f03 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0107f03\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acddd90 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"acddd90\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bc35e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5bc35e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">TECHNOLOGY<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78261b4 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"78261b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to include diversity infographics under heading of \u201cIndependent and Diverse Board,\u201d arguably making board demographic presentation more prominent than previous year<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to include \u201cdiversity\u201d as key attribute of board, but revised to reference diversity of backgrounds, skills, talents, and perspectives<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retained diversity demographics (gender identity and race\/ethnicity) as part of skills matrix, but removed discussion of \u201cdiverse and global perspective\u201d as part of lead\u2011in discussion<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updated committee descriptions to remove references to consideration of gender and ethnic diversity when considering director candidates and to revise reference from D&amp;I to inclusion<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Removed references to consideration of D&amp;I as part of succession planning discussions<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revised risk oversight to broaden from D&amp;I to talent management, inclusion, and other management resource programs<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to include dedicated corporate impact section, modifying direct references from DEI to inclusion; otherwise kept year\u2011over\u2011year disclosure substantially the same<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to report on previously established diversity modifier included in its annual incentive program, though revised discussion and title, and indicated that modifiers will be revised for 2025 executive compensation program<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0504367 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0504367\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of companies that maintained prior year diversity disclosures, making only limited, targeted changes\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8738024 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8738024\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ec726d e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3ec726d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-753c618 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"753c618\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a13298d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a13298d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SEMICONDUCTORS<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb74d4e bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb74d4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replaced former board diversity matrix with board demographics that include pie chart infographics for gender diversity and racial\/ ethnic diversity<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Removed references in board biographies to certain directors being recognized leaders in sustainability as well as diversity and inclusion<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retained ESG discussion in corporate governance section, but revised entire discussion substantially; includes discussion of diversity, belonging and inclusion with references to diverse workforce<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded disclosure across multiple new HCM topics (such as total rewards, development, and employee engagement)<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-744c5a4 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"744c5a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfdf000 e-con-full e-ecs-flex e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bfdf000\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ecs_container_type&quot;:&quot;flex&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0741a78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0741a78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">BEVERAGE RETAILER<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a26b912 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a26b912\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to include diversity (both gender and racial\/ethnic) in nominee snapshot<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abbreviated environmental and social impact highlights in introductory pages<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued to include both diversity matrix as well as reference to gender, ethnic or national diversity in skills matrix (with additional highlighting of diversity through use of corresponding icon in board biographies)<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retained discussion of the board as diverse group of individuals with a wide range of relevant experience, qualifications, skills, tenure, and diversity<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Included references to DEI as part of compensation committee responsibilities in committee description, though removed from risk oversight infographic<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1594498 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1594498\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, there were a few other items of note \u2013 not trends per se, but indicators of a more cautious approach to disclosure this year:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those who use a timeline to spotlight their corporate governance best practices, revisions may be necessary with respect to activities in previous years to de\u2011emphasize historical DEI practices.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practitioners clearly took a fresh look at risk oversight discussions and revised them in broader ways than anticipated, including to board oversight of strategy and larger ERM discussions.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, more than one company in the early filers moved away from the use of committee letters across their proxy statements.<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discussions of ESG are being renamed and in many cases scaled back\/deleted as well; companies are looking at headings closely \u2013 deleting, modifying, or adding \u2013 as they revise prior year disclosures.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dc174c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6dc174c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Final Thoughts (For Now)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3973a2 bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3973a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The executive order and pronouncements of the new administration have had immediate impact on DEI\u2011related disclosures in company Annual Reports on Form 10\u2011K and proxy statements. Companies are devoting significant time and resources to both the future of their programming and how they speak about it publicly.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The clear trend is to streamline and narrow the focus of disclosures to inclusion and\/or belonging, with an emphasis on how these concepts are integral to the company and its strategic priorities. However, some companies are leaning into their existing programs and disclosures \u2013 though in many cases, these companies were already focused on equity and inclusion more than diversity per se. Discussions of DEI\u2011related goals and commitments have almost universally disappeared for U.S. companies. Non\u2011U.S. based companies are also tailoring their approach to take into account the variation in sentiment across regions in which they operate.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given that companies should approach their disclosures holistically and consistently across their entire suite of reporting, we expect these trends to continue as companies issue their sustainability reports. Even though targeted stakeholder focus is broader for sustainability reporting, and many stakeholders still want to understand how companies approach what was formerly referred to as DEI, companies will be more<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cautious in how their programs and achievements are presented. Not only will this impact discussions within social sections, but also potentially values statements, overarching program structures, presentations of progress on goals and commitments (such as goal trackers and dashboards), and awards and recognitions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What has not changed is stakeholders\u2019 desire to understand the context for approach and programs (the big picture) and how that drives value creation and supports a company\u2019s strategic priorities (why it is good for business).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our latest thought piece analyzes early 2025 10-K and proxy disclosures to uncover how companies are adapting their discussions and the impact this has on sustainability reporting strategies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":23663,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64,66,63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-proxy-reporting","category-annual-reporting","category-sustainability-reporting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>To Say or Not to Say (and How to Say It): That is the DEI\u00a0question facing companies in 2025 | Labrador Transparency<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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