Lego’s Revised ESG Report Sparks Conversation Over DEI Terminology

Selective Omission of DEI References Amid Ongoing Focus on Gender Balance

Lego has recently stirred conversation by eliminating references to “diversity,” “LGBTQ+,” and “people of colour” from its latest environmental and social governance (ESG) report for 2024. This move marks a departure from previous years and is interpreted as part of a larger trend where companies are reducing the visibility of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amid increased public scrutiny.

Lego’s current ESG report avoids mentioning diversity outside of “biodiversity,” contrasting sharply with their 2023 sustainability progress report. In the previous report, Lego expressed commitments to their Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) agenda, including increasing female representation at director-level positions and above.

Gender Representation Commitment: The 2023 report reflected Lego’s ambition to achieve gender balance across all organizational levels. The company noted that 41.5% of director-level and higher roles were filled by females, slightly missing their target. Factors contributing to their past success included executive leadership engagement, HR’s role, and sustained focus on D&I initiatives benefiting women.

Employee Advocacy and Development: Last year’s report also emphasized the importance of Employee Advocacy Groups (EAGs), which supported women and other groups, including age, Asian colleagues, accessibility, LGBTQIA+, and people of color. Additionally, the “Navigator programme” focused on developing qualified women for senior management positions.

In contrast to last year, specific references to these DEI initiatives have been removed in the 2024 report, though the issue of female representation at the Director+ level remains mentioned, highlighting Lego’s ongoing commitment to gender balance. This selective omission is akin to what has been observed in other corporations, such as JPMorgan, which similarly removed DEI terminology from their annual report but included demographic metrics.

Despite the changes in the report, Lego’s official website continues to advocate for a diverse and inclusive workplace. The company affirms, “Lego is for everyone, and so is our workplace. We aim to create an environment where people from different backgrounds and cultures feel welcome and valued and can succeed and grow together.” Lego’s online message also emphasizes benefits like paid leave for all, disability rights, and a focus on employee well-being.

This development with Lego, along with mentions of other EU-based companies facing potential pressure from American entities to downplay DEI, suggests an emerging trend of DEI rollback that might influence businesses across the Atlantic. DEI policy changes continue to be a significant point of discussion in the HR community.

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