BT is preparing to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) metrics from the bonus calculations of thousands of its middle managers, just weeks after its chief executive denounced businesses that roll back their inclusivity commitments.
Currently, as much as 10 per cent of annual bonuses for around 37,000 BT managers is tied to targets for gender, ethnicity and disability representation, along with engagement among under-represented employee groups. From next year, that measure will be replaced by a broader survey of overall staff engagement, leaving only the company’s 550 most senior leaders subject to specific DEI-related bonus metrics.
BT insists that it remains focused on its existing manifesto targets, which aim by this year to have 41 per cent of senior managers who are female, 15 per cent from ethnic minorities and 10 per cent with a disability. So far, the company says, 35 per cent of its senior managers are women, 9 per cent are from ethnic minority backgrounds and 14 per cent have a disability.
The proposed changes come as Allison Kirkby, BT’s first female chief executive, looks to revitalise the former state-backed telecoms giant. Although BT says it is “making good progress” on DEI, the move has prompted concern that British businesses could be weakening their drive towards inclusive workplaces.
In a memo to staff, Kirkby had voiced her resolve to protect BT’s DEI efforts, saying it was disheartening to see other companies “stepping back”. BT reiterated her stance, stating DEI will remain part of senior executives’ bonus schemes.
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