CEOs are very good at saying things they don’t really mean. Many are as good, if not better than politicians at this.
Case in point: DEI. While execs spent hours on calls – with shareholders, with staff – talking up the importance of diversity and inclusion, many have quietly shelved their DEI policies. This has been going on for a couple of years now, but the trend accelerated in recent weeks, especially in the US. Turns out their commitment was only skin deep.
Another case: flexible working. Over the past decade, lots of firms put flexible working clauses into job ads and staff contracts, treating it as a perk, like free health insurance or subsidised travel. Another policy that is steadily unravelling....