Since August 2020, when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission started requiring public companies to reveal more information about their "human capital resources," many companies trying to comply with the rule have struggled with one key question: What exactly does "human capital" mean?

It's an uncertainty that has led to inconsistent securities disclosures over the past year and a half, as companies reached varying conclusions about how to balance compliance with ensuring they don't unnecessarily reveal information that blunts their competitive edge. Companies ended up going in many different directions, from DEI initiatives and employee benefits to employee safety.