Stephen Parsley Quoted on Potential Changes to Life Insurers' DEI Programs

Bradley attorney Stephen Parsley was quoted in Life Annuity Specialist on the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision ruling affirmative action in college admissions unconstitutional. This ruling has resulting in conservative activists to take aim at corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Parsley thinks that conservatives’ legal actions will spur life insurers to alter their DEI programs. While maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion objectives as core principles, the legal risks insurers now face will force them to drop any numerical targets in hiring and promotions.

“They're going to be under a lot of scrutiny,” Parsley said.

Parsley added that courts following the reasoning used by the U.S. Supreme Court in its affirmative action decision handed down on June 29 will likely cite the holding and not find that diversity per se is justification for treating applicants differently based on race. That ruling struck down race-conscious admission programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

The full article, “Insurers Among Companies Targeted by GOP AGs ,Activists Over DEI Initiatives,” was published by Life Annuity Specialist on August 14, 2023. (login required)