BT Ditches Diversity Measures in Manager Bonus Scheme
In a move that signals a shift in corporate attitudes towards diversity, BT has announced plans to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) targets from its manager bonus scheme.
The former telecoms monopoly has informed major shareholders that the DEI component of its scorecard will be replaced by an employee engagement metric. This decision has raised concerns among some, including BT Chief Executive Allison Kirkby, who recently criticized companies for retreating from their commitment to inclusion.
Under the current scheme, 10% of annual bonuses for up to 37,400 managers are based on targets for representation of women, ethnic minorities, and disabled people, as well as employee engagement among underrepresented groups. From April, these targets will be replaced by a survey of employee engagement across the organization.
BT's move away from DEI in its bonus scorecard has the potential to increase bonus payouts for managers, as the company has previously failed to meet its diversity and employee engagement targets.
Despite the planned changes, BT maintains its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company has set a target of having 25% of its UK staff from an ethnic minority background by 2030.
This move by BT reflects a broader trend in the business world, with some organizations questioning the effectiveness of DEI targets. However, it remains to be seen how this will impact the overall progress towards creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces.