The noisy anti-woke agenda risks normalising discrimination

This is a critical moment, especially for the disabled community. Scotland’s disability employment gap remains wide, and the pay disparity between disabled and non-disabled workers is stark. Without sustained effort, the good work achieved over recent years could be lost.

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As head of DEI at Enable Works, Scotland’s largest employability and DEI support service, specialising in disability and health, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact these initiatives can have on disabled individuals trying to enter and be successful in the workforce.

We’ve worked tirelessly to support those who, for too long, have faced systemic discrimination in employment. Yet, as the tide turns against DEI in general, we cannot ignore the very real possibility that the vital work around disability inclusion could be left behind.

The backlash against so-called “woke” culture and DEI initiatives often paints these efforts as unnecessary, divisive, or merely performative. The reality is quite different.

DEI is not a trend - it’s about fairness, opportunity, and ensuring that everyone has the chance to contribute to and benefit from our economy.

In Scotland, disabled people are still far less likely to be employed than their non-disabled peers - 81% of working-age adults without disabilities had jobs, compared to just under 50% of adults with disabilities (ONS, 2021). This discrepancy of 31 percentage points, called the "disability employment gap," is wider in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

Equally concerning is the disability pay gap. In 2021, Scotland had the widest disability pay gap of all UK countries, at 18.5%. This means that disabled workers, not only experience discrimination when trying to access employment, but even when in employment they earn significantly less than their non-disabled colleagues; further highlighting the barriers that disabled people face in achieving equality in the workplace. Without a robust commitment to DEI, these gaps will not just persist but could worsen.

Cutting back on DEI initiatives does not merely pause progress; it reverses it. The narrative that DEI is dispensable or irrelevant ignores the fact that these initiatives are often the only thing standing between exclusion and opportunity for many disabled individuals.

Employment is more than just a job—it’s about independence, dignity, and the right to participate fully in society. When DEI funding is slashed, we’re not just talking about losing symbolic gestures. We’re talking about people losing their chance at a better life.

It’s important to remember that the challenges disabled people face in the workplace didn’t vanish when we started addressing them. They are still very much alive. From inaccessible workplaces to unconscious bias in recruitment, disabled individuals face barriers at every turn. What progress we have made has come from years of advocacy, policy change, and investment in DEI programs. It cannot, and must not, be undone.

Fewer disabled people have jobs (Image: free)

The backlash we are seeing now also threatens to normalise discrimination. By dismissing DEI as “woke,” we risk sending a message that equity and inclusion are negotiable, when they are, in fact, fundamental to a just society. It’s crucial to remind ourselves that DEI is not about giving special treatment; it’s about levelling the playing field. Disabled people are not asking for favours - they are asking for fairness.

In the face of this anti-woke agenda, businesses and policymakers must take a stand. Abandoning DEI is not the answer. Instead, we must double down on our commitment to fostering inclusive work environments. This includes maintaining and expanding support for disabled workers, ensuring workplaces are accessible, providing reasonable adjustments, and tackling unconscious bias head-on.

This is where organisations like Enable Works come in. By engaging with DEI leaders and services like ours, companies can create sustainable, long-term change that goes beyond box-ticking exercises. At Enable Works, we specialise in designing tailored strategies that help organisations integrate inclusive practices in a way that benefits both employers and employees. Our experience shows that when businesses invest in meaningful DEI initiatives, they not only bridge the disability employment and pay gaps but also unlock the potential of a diverse workforce, boosting innovation and productivity.

Through guidance and practical support, we help organisations navigate the complexities of building a truly inclusive workplace. From conducting accessibility audits and training staff on disability awareness to supporting recruitment and retention of disabled employees, our services empower businesses to break down the barriers. 

Now is the time for leadership. Scotland has long prided itself on being a forward-thinking, progressive nation. But that reputation means little if we allow the gains we’ve made in workplace inclusion to slip away. 

We cannot let the noise of the anti-woke movement distract us from the real issue -creating an economy where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

The disability employment gap, the disability pay gap, and the persistent discrimination that disabled people face are problems that will not fix themselves. These issues require continued focus, investment, and action.

Scotland has made strides, but there is still much work to do. If we allow the anti-woke agenda to derail our DEI efforts, the progress we’ve made could unravel. We owe it to disabled people, and to the principles of fairness and equality, to ensure that doesn’t happen.

We cannot afford to leave anyone behind.

Briony Williamson is head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Enable Works