Diversity Training Still Needed in Workplace

September 19, 2013
Written by Marlene Caroselli in
Eyes On The Enterprise
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Diversity training is still needed in the workplace as the population becomes more multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. Too often, employees allow fears and stereotyping to govern how they perceive and interact with fellow colleagues. Target, the large department store, experienced firsthand the challenges of developing a culture of inclusiveness.

A recent Huffington Post article, "Leaked Target Diversity Training Documents Reveal Struggles Of Managing A Diverse Workplace," by Kim Bhasis, which appeared July 18, 2013, details the way Target Stores are attempting to train their supervisory staff to handle fears employees may have regarding other Muslim or Latino employees. These "Diversity Scripts for Stores" use dialogs to deal with sensitive diversity issues. But, Target is currently facing a discrimination lawsuit filed by three former workers who claim job-discrimination.

In an effort to prevent just such a lawsuit, the company had distributed a list of multicultural tips to encourage equal treatment and to avoid stereotyping. The employees contend that the document itself is discriminatory. As noted in the lawsuit, the document pointed out that not all Hispanics eat tacos and burritos, nor do they all dance the salsa or wear sombreros.

graph describing effective diversity training programs

The 49-page scripts were circulated in situations that had managers and subordinates talking about potentially inflammatory issues such as race, sexual orientation, age, gender, disabilities, and other topics that serve as the fodder for lawsuits based on discrimination. "It’s Just an Expression" is one of those scripts, each of which has a set-up, the dialogue, and a lessons-learned section.

Target admits the leaked document has been used, but used only, it says, at one warehouse. Further, they claim the warehouse was using it without having obtained clearance from the corporate office. Target management has apologized for the offensive language in the documents.

New scripts have been written and approved and distributed in the Target stores. The materials include the lessons-learned, which are contained in the debriefing section of the scripts. There are tips, such as expressing genuine regret and helping employees understand that one experience they have had does not translate to all people of a given race, religion, culture or any other minority-situation.

It’s true that workplaces can breed discontent, to say nothing of discomfort. And yet, if we are to thrive as a business community and as a nation, we have to apply the advice of Malcolm Forbes to workplace thought. This prominent publisher/capitalist promoter defined diversity as the art of thinking independently together. Differences? Yes, they exist. Togetherness? That must co-exist with diversity.

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