Chapter 3: Workforce Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action

Human Resource Management

Dr. Karim Kobeissi Islamic University of Lebanon - 2014

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Chapter 3: Workforce Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action

3Diversity and Diversity Management Diversity any perceived difference among people: age, race, religion, functional specialty, geographic origin, lifestyle, and any other perceived difference.

4Diversity Management Ensuring that factors are in place to provide for and encourage the continued development of a diverse workforce by combining these actual and perceived differences among workers to achieve maximum productivity.

5Managing the Diverse Workforce:Various ComponentsSingle Parents & Working MothersWomen in BusinessDual Career FamiliesWorkers of ColorOlder WorkersPersons with DisabilitiesImmigrantsYoung Persons with Limited Education/SkillsEducational Level of Employees

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)In Lebanon as in most other countries, the national laws cover equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination in the workplace.Employer are required by these laws to create a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. It's important thatas an employer, you understand your rights and responsibilities under human rights and anti-discrimination law. By putting effective anti-discrimination and anti-harassment procedures in place in your business you can improve productivity and increase efficiency.

7DiscriminationGiving unfair advantage or disadvantage of members of one group over members of another group.

Illegal for an Employer to DiscriminateRace (A group of people who share similar and distinct physical characteristics. For example, Chinese).Color (e.g., black, white,)Sex (e.g., Glass Ceiling, Pregnancy Discrimination)Religion (e.g., Muslim, Christian)National origin (e.g., Lebanon, USA..) Age (e.g., 40 years or older)Individuals with disabilities especially if they are qualified

9Glass Ceiling Invisible barrier in organizations that prevents many women and minorities from achieving top-level management positions

10Pregnancy DiscriminationPregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition

Sexual HarassmentHostile work environment behavior in workplace makes it difficult for someone of a particular sex to work.

12Affirmative Action Programs An approach developed by organizations with government contracts to demonstrate that workers are employed in proportion to their representation in the firm's relevant labor market