I had the opportunity to take a course on Human Relations. One of the many issues we discussed was Equal Opportunity and diversity in the workplace. This presentation sums up many of the concerns, issues, and laws on diversity in the workplace and equal opportunity.

1. Diversity in theDiversity in the
WorkplaceWorkplace
Sarah Defeo (HR)Sarah Defeo (HR)
Dara Lux (Employee)Dara Lux (Employee)
Amanda Walton (Manager)Amanda Walton (Manager)

2. Meeting CommencedMeeting Commenced
 In attendance: Sarah Defeo, Dara Lux,In attendance: Sarah Defeo, Dara Lux,
Amanda Walton, and panelAmanda Walton, and panel
 Subject:Subject: OurOur ccompany is concerned aboutompany is concerned about
issues of diversity in the workplace and has decidedissues of diversity in the workplace and has decided
to implement a comprehensive diversity trainingto implement a comprehensive diversity training
and awareness program that will be required for alland awareness program that will be required for all
employees on an annual basis.employees on an annual basis.

3. General BusinessGeneral Business
 Investing into a more diverseInvesting into a more diverse
workplaceworkplace
– Legal regulations, competitive advantage,Legal regulations, competitive advantage,
different perspectives, improved culture.different perspectives, improved culture.
– Culture shock, more talent and skill sets,Culture shock, more talent and skill sets,
fairness act.fairness act.
– More skill sets available, fairnessMore skill sets available, fairness

4. General BusinessGeneral Business
 Implications of creating a diverseImplications of creating a diverse
workforceworkforce
– Will this give us a competitive edge? AreWill this give us a competitive edge? Are
prospective employees even looking forprospective employees even looking for
diverse companies?diverse companies?
– It’s optional. Who’s covered? Do fortuneIt’s optional. Who’s covered? Do fortune
500 companies have policies for500 companies have policies for
diversity?diversity?
– How will this help me do my job? Quit orHow will this help me do my job? Quit or
stay?stay?

5. “Perception Shapes Everything”

6. General BusinessGeneral Business
 RecruitingRecruiting
– Will people want to work here? How willWill people want to work here? How will
this look to outsiders? How soon can wethis look to outsiders? How soon can we
start? Who do we market the opportunitystart? Who do we market the opportunity
to?to?
– How do I select the right candidates andHow do I select the right candidates and
still maintain a sense of legality?still maintain a sense of legality?
– Will I lose my job? Will I need to trainWill I lose my job? Will I need to train
these new recruits? How do I train them?these new recruits? How do I train them?

7. General BusinessGeneral Business
 TrainingTraining
– How much will this cost? In houseHow much will this cost? In house
training or out? Who should receive thistraining or out? Who should receive this
training? How much time are we willing totraining? How much time are we willing to
sacrifice from production?sacrifice from production?
– What kind of training should we give-What kind of training should we give-
diversity classes? Will I lose productiondiversity classes? Will I lose production
time?time?
– Why do I need to go through theseWhy do I need to go through these
classes? How’s it going to benefit me?classes? How’s it going to benefit me?

8. General BusinessGeneral Business
 EvaluationEvaluation
– How do we evaluate whether or not it wasHow do we evaluate whether or not it was
worth us becoming diverse? How do theworth us becoming diverse? How do the
employees feel? How much resistance isemployees feel? How much resistance is
there?there?

9. General BusinessGeneral Business
 Laws involved in DiversityLaws involved in Diversity
– Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 1972Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 1972
AmendmentsAmendments
 Bans discrimination based on race, age,Bans discrimination based on race, age,
color, religion, sex, or national origin.color, religion, sex, or national origin.
– Age Discrimination in Employment ActAge Discrimination in Employment Act
(ADEA) of 1967(ADEA) of 1967
 Applies to employers of 20 or more and saysApplies to employers of 20 or more and says
you cant discriminate based on age betweenyou cant discriminate based on age between
40-7040-70

10. Meeting AdjournedMeeting Adjourned
 Questions? Comments?Questions? Comments?
 Anything for the good of the group?Anything for the good of the group?