Department of Labor Advises Employees to Report Anyone Prioritizing DEI

Late last week, employees to Department of Labor received a lengthy email urging them to file their complaint and referring to “diversity, equity, and inclusion”- discrimination or revenge.” In short, the workers were told to alert the DEI government at all costs.

The email, which was sent Friday and seen by WIRED, felt like “a reminder to tell your co-workers about doing DEI,” says a DOL employee who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation. The notice was titled “DEI-Related Discrimination, Retaliation, and Whistleblower Disclosures” and came from the “DOL Guidance and Information” email account. It was not signed by any member of the DOL administration.

“DEI-related discrimination occurs when any activity (hiring, promotion, access to education, counseling, employment, awards, etc.) is motivated in whole or in part by the employee’s or job applicant’s race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or other protected characteristics,” the email said. Details of what actually constitutes “DEI-related discrimination” include “restricting online activities or professional development to race, gender or gender”; “provide honors, compensation, or benefits based on contributions to ‘various goals’ rather than metrics”; and “any preference or reasonable treatment justified by ‘difference’ or ‘sameness.'”

The email also reminds employees that the statute of limitations on reporting is three years, which would allow employees to report incidents before President Donald Trump takes office in January 2025. Instructions on how to respond to a whistleblower report by the Office of Special Counsel were also included in the email.

The DOL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since the beginning of Trump’s second term, the administration has taken aim at DEI’s activities. In January 2025, Trump signed it Executive Order titled “Ending Unlawful Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” directs organizations to end all DEI initiatives and actions. Soon after, federal employees received emails asking them to report their colleagues whose work is in line with DEI, and threatening “serious consequences” if they don’t.

DOL officials who spoke to WIRED say they don’t know why the email was sent now, after so long. “It’s part of the witch hunt—it’s very dangerous and can be easily abused.” Many of us had DEI activities related to our work under the previous administration. That would make those people a criminal case,” said another DOL employee who also asked not to be named. “Someone with an ax to grind could come back and say, ‘This guy did DEI training three years ago. And when you are in trouble for doing your job. I think they are trying to create a culture of fear. “

Earlier this month, a The DOL quietly placed Kenneth Wolfehead of the agency’s religious office, to lead the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which is tasked with ensuring that government contractors comply with anti-discrimination laws. According to the DOL’s 2027 budget, OFCCP will be phased out and eventually absorbed into the new Office of Civil Rights. As head of the DOL religious organization, Wolfe organized a monthly service which employees told WIRED at the time made them uncomfortable.