by Carmen Van Kerckhove
New York City is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country, yet many companies here are still doing a poor job when it comes to diversity.
In this week’s issue, Crain’s New York Business has a special section on diversity in the workplace, and the statistics it cites are depressing:

“In […]

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
Addicted to Race Premium is the premium version of New Demographic’s podcast about America’s obsession with race. Every other week, subscribers receive an hour-long, exclusive audio interview with one of the nation’s top experts on race, racism and diversity.
Since this is the public RSS feed, you will receive just a 15-minute preview […]

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
I’m excited to announce the launch of Addicted to Race Premium, the premium version of our podcast about America’s obsession with race!
Every other week, premium subscribers will receive an hour-long, exclusive audio interview with one of the nation’s top experts on race, racism and diversity.
I decided to start this premium service because […]

by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter
University of Arkansas-Little Rock law professor Zachary Kramer has posted a law review article on the Social Science Research Network entitled Heterosexuality and Title VII. The abstract:
There is a double standard at work in employment discrimination cases. While courts frequently reject otherwise actionable sex discrimination claims brought […]

by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter
“As sexual harassment becomes less acceptable in society, organizations may be more attuned to helping victims, who may therefore find it easier to cope,” said lead author M. Sandy Hershcovis, PhD, of the University of Manitoba. “In contrast, non-violent forms of workplace aggression such as incivility and […]

by Special Correspondent Adina Ba
An African American partner from a prestigious international law firm was sitting in a conference room prior to a negotiation that would determine whether her client’s corporation would emerge victorious in a multi-billion-dollar acquisition. The lawyer for the target company arrived and asked her to make copies, assuming she was a […]

Diversity: More than a PC word in school, at work - www.kansascity.com
“Diversity requires most whites to give up something — controlling power,” Moore said. “But I’d like people to see it this way: They’re really not giving up something. They’re taking on something — different perspectives.”
(tags: racism privilege education)

‘Diversity’ Defined in Less than a Third […]

by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter
The Wall Street Journal reports that — surprise! — a ridiculous pay gap still exists between white men and everyone else.
I keep hearing that diversity in the workplace will only improve if it’s perceived as a business incentive. Change only happens in Corporate America if it’s a […]

by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter
Manpower VP Melanie Holmes on being busy:
Here’s how I feel about busy vs. boredom:

We’ve all heard the adage that if you give something to a busy person it will get done. I believe it!
I get frustrated when people say they’re busy as if that is a bad […]

A Modern Conundrum: When Work’s Invisible, So Are Its Satisfactions - WSJ.com
“In the past, people could see the fruits of their labor immediately: a chair made or a ball bearing produced. But it can be hard to find gratification from work that is largely invisible, or from delivering goods that are often metaphorical.”
(tags: workplace jobsatisfaction […]

When Separate, But Equal Works - Hartford Business
“Companies that establish employee networking groups as a benefit to employees are also reaping some rewards — an in-house focus group to help tackle new markets.”
(tags: diversity workplace race networking)

Ha-Ha, You’re Fired! - Forbes.com
“it is becoming harder to avoid crossing the line into offensive territory, due in part […]

by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter
There’s been an ongoing conversation on Glenn Sacks’ blog about whether women are taken seriously and the inherent inequality in the way women’s actions are perceived in our society. One of his regular readers, a long-time engineer named Dave K, submitted a superb analysis of how diversity […]

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
Do you read Race in the Workplace religiously, but want to take your understanding of race and racism to the next level?
Then join New Demographic’s Anti-Racism Action Group! There are just 12 spots so if you’re interested, click here to register as soon as possible. Below is more information.
Anti-Racism Action Group
What is […]

by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter
Everybody will be talking about Super Duper Tuesday.
In response to surveys indicating increased political discussion in the workplace, Anita Bruzzese sayeth:
These growing numbers have me wondering how much influence our workplace culture, co-workers and bosses influence our votes. If we’re spending 10 to 12 hours a day […]

Working with diversity - Professional Roofing Magazine
“you must recognize you react to some employees differently than you react to others. If you acknowledge this fact, you will be able to manage relationships more effectively and work to change your biases. “
(tags: workplace diversity bias prejudice)

Understanding America’s racial divide drives Pager’s work - Princeton University
“Her results […]

R Yr Biznes E-mails Hrting Yr Career?
“It can be tricky sending business e-mails in a work force that encompasses diversity of race/ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability and other cultural influences…four tips from national experts on sending business e-mails”
(tags: workplace communication email diversity)

Office Politics - Forbes.com
“Plenty of chief executives support candidates publicly and financially…It raises the […]

by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter
Aka, the Civil Rights Act of 2008.
According to Jeffery Hirsch at Workplace Prof Blog, H.R.5129/S.2554 looks like an employee discrimination law wishlist.
He gives the Cliffs Notes version of the bill:
The Act would do the following:

eliminate the 1991 Civil Rights Act damage caps under Title VII and the […]

Cubicle Culture - WSJ.com
“English speakers seem to have many words that are innocuous on one side of the Atlantic but are offensive enough on the other side that they’ll go unmentioned here. “
(tags: language international workplace)

Retaliation lawsuits under fire :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Business
“Next month, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the race […]

Broken heart? Take a leave - Work in Progress - Worklife - Workplace - TIME
“Lovelorn staff at a Japanese marketing company can take paid time off after a bad break-up with a partner…I can’t decide if this company is really woman-friendly, or if…sets the already bass-ackwards women’s movement in Japan back another century.”
(tags: gender workplace […]

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
We’re used to thinking of racial discrimination as something that occurs between people from different racial groups.
But is it possible for a person to engage in racial discrimination against a coworker of his own race? It’s not as common, but it can happen. I recently spoke to the restaurant industry trade publication […]