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Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Survey reveals that 40pc of big Irish firms have lost employees since scrapping DEI policies
Since November 2024, 40pc of organisations have eliminated or plan to eliminate DEI strategies completely, with half of them removing initiatives like employee pronouns in email signatures. Consulting firm Expleo surveyed 200 business in Ireland who have over 250 employees, and found that close to half of their employees (47pc) are worried about these policies becoming less important in Ireland, following in the footsteps of the US. Close to half of the companies who have operations in the US said they were adjusting any references to DEI that may complicate their work there, after Donald Trump's regime called for a rollback of such policies. The survey found these large companies are divided on how to address DEI. Close to half are increasing their commitment to it, while 42pc believe there is 'too much focus' placed on it It found that DEI has a 'profound' impact on businesses in Ireland in light of new global trends – and that uncertainty is affecting employees. Phil Codd, managing director for Expleo in Ireland, said DEI is under attack in businesses around the world. 'Committing to DEI is not easy. Shortcomings on targets can be demoralising and subject to board scrutiny. But if we abandon targets, we effectively stop holding ourselves to account,' he said. Diversity can bring tangible value to organisations 'However, we do have reason to be optimistic. A significant proportion of enterprise leaders said they are increasing their commitment to DEI in Ireland. These are the businesses who are going against the grain and making choices that are not only principled, but commercially smart. 'In doing so, they are positioning themselves as leaders capable of attracting top talent, in an employee market where DEI matters more than ever.' Mr Codd also added that maintaining DEI policies could be important, especially for Ireland's tech companies. 'It is fundamental to the innovation we bring to our clients and our own revenue growth as a challenger in the IT services space in Ireland,' he said. 'By enriching our workforces, diversity can bring tangible value to organisations by widening perspectives and challenging accepted norms. It is time for companies to boldly go forward and embrace DEI at a time when it is under attack.'
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Majority of Irish businesses preparing for weaker economy amid trade war as firms look to cut reliance on US, survey shows
Irish businesses and IT firms with over 250 employees said one of their key economic concerns for the next year is a trade war with the US, the survey from consulting company Expleo said. A majority of the companies said they are already preparing for a weaker Irish and global economy – with 64pc of them saying they've assigned at least one person or a team to assess the impact of US policies on their businesses. As a result, 57pc of the companies surveyed said they were looking into how to reduce their reliance on the US. Managing director for Expleo Ireland Phil Codd said Irish businesses would need to diversify to work against the uncertainties. 'Our research clearly points to a nervousness among the largest enterprises in Ireland about geopolitical risk,' he said. 'By diversifying their trading relationships and reducing overreliance on any one market – even one as significant as the US – organisations can build greater resilience against global economic shocks.' With 28pc of large enterprises saying a trade war with the US would be their second-greatest threat, Mr Codd also warned against knee-jerk reactions. 'The US remains the world's largest economy and an important trading partner. The goal should not be to abandon trading relationships with the US, but to supplement it with new ones,' he said. 'Now is not the time to retreat – it is a time for bold action. The most successful organisations of the future will be those who embrace change, not fear it. In times of uncertainty, they will step forward, innovate and transform.' The survey spoke to 200 people from across Irish businesses who also worried about other local challenges they needed to face in order to be more prepared for trade barriers. Business leaders said other concerns were constraints for digital infrastructure in Ireland and cybersecurity threats to their firms. A majority of the enterprises viewed Ireland as a good location for digital innovation. Despite their economic concerns, 66pc of large organisations are expecting their businesses to grow over the next 12 months.
Irish Examiner
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
More than half of Irish firms cutting reliance on the US
More than half of large Irish companies are looking at ways to reduce their reliance on the US due to tariff policies. A survey of 200 companies with more than 250 employees also found two-thirds of companies have appointed at least one person, or a team, to assess the impact of US policies on their business. The research was carried out by Censuswide, on behalf of Expleo, to assess the economic sentiment fallout of new US tariff policies. It found 28% of business and IT leaders in large enterprises in Ireland viewed a trade war with the US as the greatest threat to Ireland's digital economy over the next 12 months, tied with cybersecurity threats. 'Our research clearly points to a nervousness among the largest enterprises in Ireland about geopolitical risk," Phil Codd, managing director for Ireland at Expleo, said. "By diversifying their trading relationships and reducing overreliance on any one market — even one as significant as the US — organisations can build greater resilience against global economic shocks." 'However, it is crucial that businesses — particularly large ones — avoid knee-jerk reactions. The US remains the world's largest economy and an important trading partner. The goal should not be to abandon trading relationships with the US, but to supplement it with new ones," he said. Despite their economic concerns, 66% of large organisations are expecting business growth over the next 12 months. However, a cautious sentiment among enterprises may be bleeding into overall economic sentiment, with 63% saying they are preparing for a weaker Irish economy over the next 12 months.
