This week, President Trump signed a series of executive orders that will fundamentally reshape federal workspaces, leaving many people across the US feeling uneasy, unseen, and unsupported. These changes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes, hybrid work arrangements, and federal recognition of gender identity, felt a little like ‘Dad’s mad and he’s laying down the law’.
As someone who believes in creating inclusive, forward-thinking workplaces, I can’t help but reflect on the privilege of choice and the power of psychological safety. While these freedoms may feel distant for those affected by these orders, they remain ideals worth striving for in every organisation.
DEI: A Step Backward for Progress
The termination of DEI programs in federal agencies is more than just a bureaucratic shift. It signals a disregard for the progress made in promoting inclusive workplaces that celebrate diverse voices. DEI initiatives aren’t just about meeting quotas, they’re about creating environments where everyone feels valued and heard.
This move undermines years of work to address systemic inequities. Research has repeatedly shown that diversity drives innovation, collaboration, and performance. Eliminating these programmes is not just a step backward for federal workspaces, it’s a setback for the ideals of fairness and representation we all hold dear.
Hybrid Work – The Loss of Flexibility and Psychological Safety
Mandating a return to full-time, in-person work ignores the reality of how employees thrive and how their lives have changed, particularly post-Covid. Hybrid and remote work options aren’t just about convenience; they’ve become critical tools for supporting mental health, work-life balance, and productivity.
Forcing federal employees back into rigid office schedules without consideration for their wellbeing or lifestyle feels short-sighted and dismissive. Flexibility in how and where we work has been one of the most transformative shifts in recent years, and this reversal erases the strides we’ve made toward a more human-centred approach to work.
Gender Policies: An Assault on Recognition and Rights
Perhaps the most disheartening of all is the redefinition of gender, which denies the existence and dignity of transgender and non-binary individuals. By reducing gender to a binary, this order strips away critical protections in healthcare, employment, and more. Biology is binary, gender is fluid.
Psychological safety, the feeling of being able to show up as your authentic self without fear of judgment or harm, is central to thriving in any environment. This order robs countless individuals of that safety, making federal workspaces less inclusive and less humane.
Gratitude for the Power of Choice
In moments like these, I’m reminded of the privilege many of us have to choose where and how we work. While these freedoms aren’t universal, they represent what we should all strive for: workplaces that champion inclusivity, flexibility, and respect for individual identity.
For those of us outside federal workspaces, this is a moment to reflect on what we can do to support those impacted. It’s also a time to be grateful for the progress we’ve made in other areas and to use that gratitude as a springboard for action.
Moving Forward Together
These executive orders highlight the work still needed to build workplaces that truly reflect the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect. They also remind us of the importance of standing up for psychological safety, not just in words but in actions.
If we want a better future, we can’t afford to take these steps backward without speaking up. Let’s hold onto the belief that change is possible, and let’s work together to create it.
#PsychologicalSafety #DEI #WorkplaceWellbeing #InclusivityMatters #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #HumanRights #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #Stress
