Diversity backlash: Is 'masculine energy' coming to the UK?

"Dangerous, demeaning, and immoral." That's how Donald Trump has described diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes which aim to boost workers from diverse backgrounds.

Upon returning to the White House, he ordered the shutdown of all federal DEI initiatives, urging the private sector to follow suit.

And many have, with the likes of Walmart, McDonald's, Meta and Amazon ditching or scaling back their diversity policies.

Corporations, according to Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, have been "neutered" and need more "masculine energy".

Some UK employees fear Trump's rhetoric could normalise intolerant attitudes in the workplace, even if DEI policies remain intact.

"Someone that is at the top saying things like that sets a precedent that it's okay to do so," says Chloe, who works at a London-based finance company.

Stefan Hoops, the head of Deutsche Bank's investment arm, also said he feared Trump's language would "lead us straight back to the macho 'Wolf of Wall Street' era" and called on companies to ensure equal opportunities.

He posted his thoughts on LinkedIn alongside a picture of him lifting weights, saying, "I figured a masculine-looking picture would balance my anti-anti-woke observations."

But so far there is little evidence of UK firms changing their diversity policies.

In fact, the UK arm of ancy giant Deloitte has signalled a split with its US counterpart by saying it remains "committed to our diversity goals", not long after staff in the US were told there were plans to "sunset" their DEI goals.

In the UK, the Equality Act protects against discrimination and since 2017, organisations with over 250 employees must report their gender pay gap.

In addition, any company listed on the stock exchange is required to publish board diversity data against set targets, including that at least 40% of board should be women.

Pavita Cooper is the UK chair of the 30% Club, which campaigns to increase gender diversity in senior management.

She says the UK's legal system will help protect DEI policies.

"In the US, they are talking a lot about affirmative action and 'woke ideology'. In the UK, we focus a lot more on positive action," Ms Cooper says.

She explains that affirmative action involves quotas, while positive action encourages participation without preferential treatment, such as through scholarships or mentoring.

Martha Lane Fox, who has worked to promote diversity in the tech sector, believes the UK has an opportunity to "lean into diversity - stand apart from the US".

She points out the "irony" of Elon Musk, tasked by Donald Trump with slashing federal government spending, standing in the Oval Office with his young son as he dismantled DEI programmes.

"Imagine if everyone had such casual and extraordinary opportunities for childcare, what could we unlock":[]}