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

© BLR®—Business & Legal Resources 1501

Diversity

Legal Basics for Supervisors


Session Objectives• Identify how we are diverse

• Understand the challenges and opportunities of workplace diversity

• Avoid legal problems

• Follow company policy


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


Facts About Diversity• Today’s American

workforce

• The workforce in 2020

• The workforce in 2050


How Are We Diverse?• Race• Gender• Age• Education• Cultural background• Physical abilities


Your Diversity History• Parents• Teachers• Peers• Media


Challenges• Getting used to differences

• Coordinating work styles

• Learning to communicate

• Developing flexibility

• Adapting to change


Opportunities• Attracts and keeps

quality employees• Increases employee

morale • Maximizes productivity• Reduces costly

discrimination suits• Improves decision

making• Raises company profile


Workplace Diversity• Questions?


Discrimination and DiversityUnequal opportunity in employment decisions:

• Recruitment, hiring, and firing

• Pay and benefits

• Promotions, transfers, layoffs

• Training and apprenticeships

• Retirement plans and disability leave


Harassment and Diversity• Slurs or “jokes”

• Segregation from others

• Stereotyping

• Unwelcome sexual advances

• Derogatory comments regarding a co-worker’s culture or religion


Legal Protections• EEOC laws

• Title VII

• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)


Legal Protections (cont.)

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

• Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

• Equal Pay Act


Our Diversity Policy• Makes diversity a

priority

• Makes sure everyone is trained

• Makes a commitment to diversity

• Provides uniform expectations


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


Legal and Policy Issues• Questions?


Who’s Diverse?• Tiger Woods

• Jennifer Lopez

• Russell Crowe

• Barbra Streisand

• Condoleeza Rice

•Michael J. Fox


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


Making Diversity Work• Learn names and use them frequently

• Show interest in co-workers

• Never assume

• Use discussion guidelines at meetings

• Avoid personal attacks


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


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


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

Documents

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