TEMPLATE: Letter to your HR Department about DEI

*PDF Download: Letter to Your HR Department About DEI

Dear Human Resources Officers, 

I appreciate [name of company]’s desire to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for its employees, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race or religion. 

I’m concerned, however, about the [INSERT TYPE– materials/training] I was provided on [date]. Rather than seeing us as individuals and judging employees on their merits, free of bias, the materials I saw placed employees into different identity groups and seemed to view us through those identity groups. That is not how I wish to be viewed, nor is it how I would view my colleagues. 

Instead of making the workplace a more respectful and inclusive place, I fear these efforts will have the opposite effect–introducing concepts that make people feel uncomfortable in the workplace and resentful of their co-workers. Concepts like “microaggressions,” “internalized racism or sexism” and “unconscious bias” create a culture where people can be accused of offensive behavior for what someone perceives a coworker’s motivations or private thoughts. These concepts also serve as a way to silence the views of racial minorities and women who might disagree with the narrative that racism or sexism fundamentally shapes their experiences. That’s not fair. 

I would appreciate your clarifying that you do truly want the workplace to be respectful and inclusive of all individuals, including those who have different viewpoints on these sensitive topics. 

I truly respect [COMPANY NAME]’s commitment to building a positive, inclusive workplace, and hope that you will take my concerns as a step toward realizing that worthy goal. 

Sincerely,