All federal employees working in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles have been sent on paid leave in line with an executive order signed by the President of the US.
An official memo was issued by the Office of Personnel Management directing all federal government agencies and departments to create a plan to eliminate all DEI roles. The memo also orders them to shut down all social-media accounts and websites related to these offices and departments. A deadline of 31 January has been given to all federal bodies to submit a plan in writing, as President Donald Trump believes DEI efforts are “wasteful”. He reportedly is of the opinion that many sincere and skilled Americans are unable to bag suitable roles because they fail to fulfil the diversity hiring criteria!
The objective of the directive is to ensure that people are hired on the basis of their skills and potential and not based on their colour.
The exact number of employees who will be affected by this decree is yet to be divulged officially by the White House.
Of course, several workers’ unions across the country fear that the directive against DEI hiring is not in alignment with the Constitution.
A similar directive was issued by the president to do away with diverse hiring policies in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so that Americans eager to be part of FAA are able to get a chance to bag a role, which they would otherwise lose to people of colour or those with disabilities.
