Tech workers believe that efforts to boost diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organizations are making a real impact, according to a recent survey.
Tenth Revolution Group conducted research for its Careers and Hiring Guide 23/24, gathering insights from employees at major tech firms like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft 365, Azure, NetSuite, and Salesforce. The results showed that 71% of tech professionals feel their workplace is committed to DEI initiatives and that these efforts are effective.
Caroline Fox, global ED&I strategy lead at Tenth Revolution Group, highlighted that most tech employers are putting resources into DEI. She noted that while support slightly dips among marginalized groups, a majority still feel positively impacted by these initiatives. Fox expressed hope that ongoing data collection will encourage more meaningful inclusion across the industry.
Despite these positive sentiments, the tech sector has struggled with diversity issues for years. Data from BCS reveals that, from 2018 to 2022, the percentage of women in tech roles increased by only 4%, and the representation of people from black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds grew by just 2%.
Some of this slow progress stems from companies focusing too narrowly on specific groups or neglecting retention alongside hiring. The Tenth Revolution survey found that about 70% of respondents indicated their employer is investing in DEI initiatives, with 71% affirming these efforts are effective—but this varies based on the focus of those initiatives.
Opinions about DEI efforts in the industry are mixed. While many acknowledge improvements in team diversity, others point to budget cuts and a lack of leadership support hindering these changes. Tenth Revolution’s findings show that 69% of tech professionals believe their workplace offers equal opportunities to differently abled workers. For people of color, that number is 68%, but it drops to 62% when considering support for women in tech.
Retaining diverse talent is crucial, particularly for women, as internal culture plays a significant role. Data from Tech Talent Charter reveals that 40% of women in tech indicate their future career choices hinge on their caregiving responsibilities—underlining the need for flexible working conditions.
Over the past year, many organizations have reported a worrying trend of scaling back DEI initiatives. There’s a consensus that these practices should be intentional and well-planned rather than superficial. As artificial intelligence and a growing skills gap emerge, the call for greater diversity in tech is more urgent than ever.