The Signal Through the Noise

Key Insights

1. Public policy shifts have created barriers. Executive orders signed in 2025 have transformed public policy into an obstacle for workplace inclusion, aiming to restrict programs that promote inclusion and belonging, as well as access to accurate documents and gender-affirming care for youth. 
2. Legal uncertainty is driving risk assessment. DOJ guidance and definitions of illegal discrimination have led to confusion, prompting some employers to overcorrect, which risks operational disruption, legal exposure, and reputational harm.
3. Fragmented rules require vigilance. State bans and federal actions on gender identity recognition and youth care form a patchwork of laws, complicating compliance and access to care while impacting employee well-being.