This blog is being discontinued

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
I’ve decided to discontinue this blog, Race in the Workplace.
One of the main reasons is that I’ve decided to move New Demographic away from organizational consulting. I’ll still have offerings for organizations (primarily keynotes, workshops, and executive coaching) but I’m going to spend a lot of time focusing on working with individuals […]

Preview of ATR Premium 6: Keith R. Wyche

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
Addicted to Race Premium is the premium version of New Demographic’s podcast about America’s obsession with race.
Since this is the public RSS feed, you will receive just a 15-minute preview of the interview. If you’d like to hear the hour-long interview in its entirety, subscribe to Addicted to Race Premium today!
Here’s what […]

Free Teleseminar: The New Rules of Race in the Workplace

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
Update: You can access the recording of the teleseminar, as well as the handout, here.
Do you express outrage when your coworker cracks a racist joke? Do you hang onto every word spoken during your company’s annual diversity training session? Do you proudly proclaim that you’re colorblind and “just don’t notice race?”
Surprisingly, the […]

The ant and the grasshopper

by guest contributor Margie Perscheid
Recently, following an early-morning conference call, a colleague of mine mentioned that I should check my email for something cute. “You’ll like this!” she said.
I work for a Fortune 25 company, a large corporation with a bureaucracy rivaling that of the Federal government. We have a published commitment to diversity, and […]

How positive racial stereotypes can harm your career

by Carmen Van Kerckhove
People of your racial or ethnic group are stereotyped as good employees with a solid work ethic. That should bode well for your career, right?
Not necessarily. Even so-called “positive” racial stereotypes could spell trouble for you in the workplace. Here are some adverse effects you could experience.
1. You get pigeonholed
If people at […]

Why can’t NYC companies retain employees of color?

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 […]

Preview of ATR Premium 1: Dr Joseph L Graves

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 […]

Introducing Addicted to Race Premium

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 […]

Bootstrapping Protection for Sexual Orientation into Title VII

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 […]

Bullying More Harmful Than Sexual Harassment on the Job

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 […]

Workplace bias costs companies $64 billion annually

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 […]

links for 2008-02-29

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 […]

Pay Gap… Yup, It’s Still There

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 […]

Staying Busy + Staying Relevant = Staying Safe

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 […]

links for 2008-02-20

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 […]

links for 2008-02-14

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 […]

Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t

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 […]

Join the Anti-Racism Action Group today - just 12 spots!

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 […]

Talking Politics in the Workplace

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 […]

links for 2008-02-05

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 […]