The U.S. House of Representatives Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is shutting down its operations and DEI mission as part of the FY2024 Appropriations package passed Friday. The department will be replaced by the Office of Talent Management under the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer according to a statement on the department’s website. ODI was formed as a nonpartisan office that worked to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all employees of the House. ODI worked to identify and eliminate barriers to diversity and inclusion, and to promote a culture of respect and understanding.
ODI’s Mission
Since ODI’s creation in the 116th Congress, its mission was to create a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and included. ODI worked to achieve this mission by:
- Identifying and eliminating barriers to diversity and inclusion
- Promoting a culture of respect and understanding
- Providing resources and support to employees
- Advocating for policies that promote diversity and inclusion
ODI’s Programs and Services
ODI offered a variety of programs and services to employees, including:
- Diversity and inclusion training
- Mentoring and sponsorship programs
- Employee resource groups
- Conflict resolution services
- Ombuds services
ODI’s Impact
ODI has made significant progress in creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace for House employees. In 2019, ODI was recognized by the National LGBTQ Task Force with the Corporate Equality Award for its work on LGBTQ+ workplace equality. ODI has also been recognized by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) for its work on Hispanic workplace equality.
