Learning How To Navigate White-Collar Workplaces, When You Suddenly Can Afford A Compass Reading the Harvard Business Review’s article on Why Companies Should Add Class To Their Diversity Discussion gave me new words to something I have been feeling for years. Classism is the elephant in the room that we refuse to address when we talk about equity and inclusion. The …
Has Title VII Of The Civil Rights Act Of 1964 Outlived Its Usefulness? Really?
I was delivering EEOC training when the next slide was Protected Classes. I noticed some quizzical looks and furrowed brows in the audience so I gave a broad definition of Protected Class, and went on to define Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; only the most important federal statute banning discrimination in the workplace. I went on to explain that …
Transgenderism In The Workplace: The New Not-So-New Normal
Many years ago I met a co-worker, Terry. Terry was quiet, but friendly enough, a bit of a loner, but social enough. Terry was introverted, but just outgoing enough to be someone to look forward to chatting with. We crossed paths frequently in the kitchen, the men’s room, the elevator, Starbucks, etc. We would chat about everything from food, life, …
Let’s Be Honest; Most HR “Diversity Programs” Are for White People
I can’t be the only person that has sat in a “diversity meeting” and thought to myself, “who is this for?” As a woman of color, I rarely, if ever felt like the content was for me. But I often felt like the content was about me, namely, how to deal with me. The focus of many diversity presentations that …
HR Girl Power in 2019
Ariana Grande proclaimed “God is a Woman,” Keith Urban sang about “Female,” and Jesse J begged girls to feel elevated and say “I am a Queen.” Fearless Girl is on the move to the NY Stock Exchange; Sheryl Sandberg focused headlines read “Fall from Grace” for her part in Facebook’s mishaps, and a new study shows a 51% wage gap …
Can a White Guy Lead Your Diversity & Inclusion Efforts?
It’s not lost on me that I’m uber-lucky to be a white male born in and living in the greatest country in the world. The land of opportunity, especially for me. Privilege and opportunity that others who work here or in other countries around the world will spend their entire lives in hopes of getting. And which some, regardless of …
“I, Too, Am Qualified”: Are Old People The Talent World’s Most Undervalued Asset?
Moneyball – A term describing baseball operations in which a team endeavors to analyze the market for baseball players and buy what is undervalued and sell what is overvalued. Unlike a common misconception, it is not about on-base percentage, but whatever is undervalued at that time. It is most commonly used to refer to the strategy adopted by the front office of …