A survey by the Irish Management Institute (IMI) of 100 senior business leaders in Ireland, across private, public and semi-state sectors, found that 97pc plan to strengthen their organisation’s diversity efforts.
It also found that 44pc of those surveyed plan to increase investment in DEI programmes, while 54pc intend to maintain their current DEI initiatives and policies.
Last month, the Sunday Independent revealed that the US embassy in Dublin has sent warnings to companies it does business with to comply with Donald Trump’s ‘anti-DEI’ agenda if they employ American citizens and have US owners.
Entities that have received grants from the embassy have also been given the same warning.
The letters would apply to many US multinationals and their subsidiaries in Ireland providing services to the embassy, which could include firms in hospitality, cleaning and events.
Just 5pc of the senior executives surveyed by the IMI believe that mandating a full return to the office will enhance productivity or drive growth. That’s seemingly at odds with an increasing push by more companies to get staff back into offices on a full-time basis.
Billionaire Denis O’Brien recently claimed that working-from-home was a “load of nonsense” and insisted it has negatively affected productivity.
The IMI survey found that 39pc of executives believe that eliminating hybrid working policies would have a negative impact on workforce productivity and employee work-life balance.
“What we’re seeing is a tale of two realities: as some countries, particularly the US, scale back their DE&I commitments, Ireland’s business leaders are choosing a different path—reinforcing their dedication to building diverse and inclusive workplaces,” said IMI chief executive Shane O’Sullivan.
“Our survey clearly shows that, rather than stepping back, leaders in Ireland are doubling down on DE&I, recognising it as a strategic imperative,” he added.
The IMI has also announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarship programme with the 30% Club, a global business campaign designed to boost female representation on boards and among senior executive leadership teams in the world’s biggest companies.
Suzanne Torsney, global head of internal communications and engagement at Primark, and Michele Bourke, programme manager, national clinical programmes for gastroenterology and hepatology, at the HSE, have been awarded this year’s scholarships.
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