Diversity goes well beyond the addition of more women into the
labor force. Additionally, we have more racial and cultural minorities working in America
today than ever before. Companies are advertising for management candidates who have
bilingual skills (English and Spanish) in not only Florida, Texas and California but large
cities such as Chicago as well.
Add in two other areas, the aging population and the disabled
and you have two very powerful minority groups. The aged have a very powerful lobbying
group in the AARP who are causing changes in this country’s laws. Did you know that
the disabled make up the largest minority group in the United States? They do and are
being supported by legislation (such as ADA) as well as the advances in medical
achievements. People today with certain disabilities would not have been able to be
productive workers ten years ago.
What does all of this mean to the employers of today? When
combined with low unemployment across the country, it means that we have to change! We
have to begin thinking out of the box. Everything from recruiting techniques, workplace
environment, employee benefits, compensation and promotion policies to advertising and
marketing has to be reviewed. The "old way" of conducting business is not
effective any more.
