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City men feel cancelled: Ask about a work network for men ‘and they look at you like you’re mad’

Companies are wary of setting up men's networks due to the possible reputational backlash

Many feel checked out from the DE&I movement because they feel excluded from it, or worse, vilified, experts say
Many feel checked out from the DE&I movement because they feel excluded from it, or worse, vilified, experts say Photo: Getty Images

The City’s diversity, equity and inclusion push risks backfiring by sidelining straight, white cisgender men, who feel like they cannot take up space to speak up about their own issues without getting 'cancelled'.

The finance industry understands it has an image problem. For years now it has been trying to combat its reputation for being 'pale, male and stale' by investing in initiatives to boost the number of women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ and disabled individuals in its ranks so that its employees better reflect its more diverse customer base.

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