The vast majority of UK firms are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes, think they are a valuable investment, and find ways to embed systemic change into operations at a time when DEI budgets are under pressure, says a new UK workplace survey.

The survey of more than 1,000 organisations, conducted by Censuswide* shows that support for diversity is stronger among older age groups than younger ones.

Funding stability

Researchers found that almost three quarters (74%) of companies are running a DEI programme, with around one quarter (26%) of these having increased funding compared to the previous year. Another third (33%) are doing so on about the same budget as before.

Only one in eight (13%) respondents thinks their organisation invests too much time and money in DEI programmes while almost half (47%) disagrees, and one third (37%) being undecided.

Older workers favour diversity

UK company culture favours more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Asked if their organisation is too woke, only just over a quarter (28%) of the survey agreed with just over four in ten (41%) disagreeing, with around a quarter (27%) non-committal.

Most older workers favour workplace diversity while only minorities of their youngest colleagues do so. More than half (56%) of over-55s and half of 45-54s disagree with the idea that their company is too woke, but only 35% of the 25-34 age group and just 27% of 16-24 year-olds do.

Protecting DEI budgets

UK firms are bringing DEI programmes into their core business operations to manage budget pressures, with four out of (40%) ten companies adding DEI questions to their hiring processes to attract more diverse talent while more than one third (36%) are adding diversity questions to engagement surveys to capture diversity demographics.

Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano, VP, Equitable Operations at Culture Amp, explains “At a time when some high-profile global firms are rolling back on DEI commitments, a big majority of UK companies are still committed to building workplaces where people are treated fairly and with respect.

“It’s also striking that support for diversity and inclusion policies in UK workplaces is strongest among older age groups. These are more likely to be senior management and line managers that see the benefits of more equitable workplaces and can lead systemic change in their organisation.

“While UK firms are facing pressures on DEI programme budgets, many are embedding equity into core business processes such as hiring, evaluating the employee experience and employee engagement, to drive structural change while staying within budget.”

* The research was conducted by Censuswide for employee experience platform Culture Amp, with 1,007 General Business Decision Makers in the UK (Aged 18+) between 24.10.2024 – 28.10.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.