Blog Posts: Workplace Diversity
Public-Private Partnership Promotes Employment of Disabled Workers
Employers are increasingly recognizing the contributions that people with disabilities can make to their organizations, and many businesses are looking for ways to increase the participation of people with disabilities within their companies. A new public-private initiative is designed to help businesses achieve that goal. At a recent “CEO Summit” on the employment of people with disabilities, top-level business executives got together with government officials to share experiences and best practices for reducing barriers to employment and to raise awareness about the benefits of increasing workforce participation.
General Mills Opposes Attempt to Ban Gay Marriage
An increasing number of large, prominent companies are recognizing the value of encouraging diversity in the workplace, even when that involves taking public stands on controversial issues. Case in point: General Mills recently voiced its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment in Minnesota that would ban same-sex marriage.
Employee "Authenticity" in the Workplace Linked to Higher Job Satisfaction
Employers already know that embracing diversity in the workplace can help attract top talent. Now, a new study shows that it may also increase individual workers’ feelings of satisfaction with their jobs.
Taco Bell Operator to Pay $27,000 to Settle Religious-Discrimination Suit
The operator of a chain of Taco Bells agreed to pay $27,000 to resolve a lawsuit brought by the EEOC, which alleged the company engaged in religious discrimination by firing an employee for refusing to cut his hair.
Study Ranks Countries with Most Diverse Workforces
Forbes commissioned Oxford Economics to measure employee diversity in different countries. Norway topped the list with the most diverse workforce, Other Scandinavian countries also scored very high on the diversity scale: Iceland and Sweden were also in the top ten. The scores largely reflect gender diversity in the workforces of these countries. (The study did not examine ethnic diversity, because not all countries compile that information. If ethnic diversity had been counted, then the U.S. would probably have come in higher than it did at number nine.)
Microsoft Supports Marriage Equality As "Good for Business"
In a January 19, 2012, post on the official Microsoft blog, the Redmond, Wash. software giant announced that it was supporting Washington state legislation that would legalize same-sex civil marriages.
