Pensions Regulator admitted public sector staff were at risk of suffering ‘EDI fatigue’… yet still put on 225 different ‘woke’ events last year

Public sector workers risk suffering diversity ‘fatigue’ if they are told to celebrate too many awareness days and religious holidays, bosses have admitted privately.

The calendar prepared for staff at one quango included 225 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) events, covering everything from Nirvana Day, which commemorates the death of the Buddha, to ‘Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week’ in honor of people who do not feel romantic attraction.

It featured the ancient pagan harvest festival Lughnasadh, as well as American dates such as the anniversary of the killing of George Floyd by a police officer, which sparked Black Lives Matter protests, and the federal holiday of Juneteenth, which symbolized the end of slavery.

But managers at the Pensions Regulator have been advised to prioritize just a few key events each month to keep employees engaged.

An internal report obtained by the Daily Mail highlights ‘the need to maximize impact through a maximum of 2-3 significant EDI events per month, avoiding oversaturation and EDI fatigue’.

At a meeting discussing a review of the EDI calendar, one member supported the ‘less is more’ approach.

The report stated that the 2024 calendar will focus on a handful of issues, including religion and belief.

Bosses aimed to ‘develop the skills of managers and colleagues’ on the most important holy days for each of the main faiths.

For Christians this was described as ‘Christmas Day (25 December) and the report said there should be a ‘full communications package’ which ‘includes a briefing given a month before the event to provide guidance on how People Managers can support their colleagues and the practical issues managers need to consider and respond to’.

An email sent by the pensions regulator’s EDI leader updated staff on internal events held last year, including National Engagement week, where we discussed topics such as the ‘diversity pay gap, cultural awareness and inclusivity, and ‘anti-wokeness’.

It warned staff about a ‘piers and gays history march’ taking place in Brighton and a section on Holocaust Remembrance Day began with a ‘trigger warning’.

William Yarwood, media campaign manager at the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Reassuringly, many public sector workers, like taxpayers, are fed up with having the woke agenda shoved down their throats.

‘But a minority of pencil pushers employed in these pointless roles continue to make life difficult for their colleagues with endless rules, regulations, reporting requirements, as well as events to mark and training sessions to attend.

‘The pensions regulator clearly needs to take its own advice and significantly reduce the EDI agenda it is dependent on pushing.’

A spokesman for the Pensions Regulator said: ‘Diversity leads to better outcomes for savers and we are committed to leading by example as a fair and inclusive employer.

‘We are also working closely with the pensions industry to share best practice and promote inclusive management and will publish our refreshed 2026-2029 EDI approach early next year.’