© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Diversity Legal Basics for Supervisors

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Session Objectives Identify how we are diverse Understand the challenges and opportunities of workplace diversity Avoid legal problems Follow company policy

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Session Outline What workplace diversity means How it impacts our organization Discrimination and diversity Company policy Myths and realities about diversity Ways to make diversity work

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Facts About Diversity Today’s American workforce The workforce in 2020 The workforce in 2050

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 How Are We Diverse? Race Gender Age Education Cultural background Physical abilities

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Your Diversity History Parents Teachers Peers Media

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Challenges Getting used to differences Coordinating work styles Learning to communicate Developing flexibility Adapting to change

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Opportunities Attracts and keeps quality employees Increases employee morale Maximizes productivity Reduces costly discrimination suits Improves decision making Raises company profile

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Workplace Diversity Questions?

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Discrimination and Diversity Unequal opportunity in employment decisions: Recruitment, hiring, and firing Pay and benefits Promotions, transfers, layoffs Training and apprenticeships Retirement plans and disability leave

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Harassment and Diversity Slurs or “jokes” Segregation from others Stereotyping Unwelcome sexual advances Derogatory comments regarding a co-worker’s culture or religion

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Legal Protections EEOC laws Title VII The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Legal Protections (cont.) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Equal Pay Act

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Our Diversity Policy Makes diversity a priority Makes sure everyone is trained Makes a commitment to diversity Provides uniform expectations

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Our Diversity Policy (cont.) Promotes an open-door policy Protects employee rights Promotes compliance and prevention Creates a respectful and dignified work environment for all

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Legal and Policy Issues Questions?

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Who’s Diverse? Tiger Woods Jennifer Lopez Russell Crowe Barbra Streisand Condoleeza Rice Michael J. Fox

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Myth or Reality? There is one best-qualified person for each job People of the same minority group naturally get along better with one another than with those of different groups Diversity programs benefit only minorities

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Making Diversity Work Learn names and use them frequently Show interest in co-workers Never assume Use discussion guidelines at meetings Avoid personal attacks

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Making Diversity Work (cont.) Approach controversial topics generally Treat genders equally Avoid sexist comments Don’t guess co-workers’ identities Learn—and use— acceptable terms

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Making Diversity Work (cont.) Use the variety of experience among co-workers Respect differences Look at co-workers’ abilities—not their disabilities Don’t go along with insensitive comments Think inclusive—not exclusive

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1501 Key Points to Remember Diversity recognizes and respects differences It encourages new ideas and perspectives It promotes fairness and allows everyone to contribute to goals and to share in success It attracts and retains high-quality employees