Monday, January 21, 2008

Diversity ... Shamersity

Ahem.
Most diversity training efforts at American companies are ineffective and even counterproductive in increasing the number of women and minorities in managerial positions, according to an analysis that turns decades of conventional wisdom, government policy and court rulings on their head.

A comprehensive review of 31 years of data from 830 mid-size to large U.S. workplaces found that the kind of diversity training exercises offered at most firms were followed by a 7.5 percent drop in the number of women in management. The number of black, female managers fell by 10 percent, and the number of black men in top positions fell by 12 percent. Similar effects were seen for Latinos and Asians.

The analysis did not find that all diversity training is useless. Rather, it showed that mandatory programs -- often undertaken mainly with an eye to avoiding liability in discrimination lawsuits -- were the problem. When diversity training is voluntary and undertaken to advance a company's business goals, it was associated with increased diversity in management.
Wonder what the Diversity Bullies have to say about this? Nothing much, I assume. Heck, they are so afraid of their own shadow, more often than not, they won't even say the "N-word" they say is so horrible. Can't we be grown ups and talk like adults about this stuff?

Hat tip Ramesh.

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