DE&I | Is being 'woke' bad for business?

In an era of heightened social awareness and increased calls for corporate responsibility, the concept of being "woke" has become a divisive topic in the business world.

The issue is perhaps heightened by the celebration of Pride Month in June, when many organisations such as Apple, Google and Sony, among innumerable others, have been outspoken about their support for the LGBTQ community, a key proponent of many DE&I agendas.

And whilst showing support for these demographics is largely celebrated both in and out of working life, a strong vein of support has also risen for those who are actively against what they perceive to be the ‘woke’ agenda.

While some argue that embracing social issues is necessary for companies to stay relevant and attract younger consumers, others, like Senator Josh Hawley for example, assert that corporate ‘woke’ agendas pose a threat to the American worker.