NewsLink

Links to Internet news items and other information related to diversity and inclusion, provided every week by the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity (06), a program office within VA's Office of Human Resources and Administration.

Volume 6, Issue 3                            May 2, 2007

This Week's Web Highlight
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Employer's Perks Help Families Maintain Connection Between Work and Home.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the top reason people stay at their jobs has little to do with pay or promotions. People stay because they feel the company cares about them.

The Upside of "Office Buzz."  In a complete reversal from the old "stop wasting time and get back to work" mentality, the most progressive companies today are helping employees find ways to stop "working" and start talking!

Older Worker Recruiting and Retention Survey.  Manpower Inc. surveyed more than 28,000 employers across 25 countries and territories to determine if companies have adopted strategies to recruit or retain older workers into their organization.

Age Friendly Employer Certification.  RetirementJobs.com’s Age Friendly Employer Certification is an initiative to identify employers that maintain policies, practices, and programs consistent with employment of people age 50 and older.

Why More Women Aren't at the Top of Companies.  Women often are told that all they need to do to advance to the top of companies is acquire experience and show their competence. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder and president of the Center for Work-Life Policy, understands why this is often easier said than done.

American Indian Women: Gender Differences and Leadership.  To be leaders in human services agencies, American Indian women must straddle two cultures. While doing so, they redefine what it means to be a leader.

What Does a Global Society Look Like? California.  One-eighth of the nation's young people live in California. Three-fifths are youth of color, and nearly half are immigrants or the children of immigrants.

Morgan Stanley Settles Sex-Bias Suit with Brokers.  Morgan Stanley, the world's second- biggest securities firm, set up a $46 million claims pool to settle a sex-discrimination lawsuit and said it will enact new policies to help women succeed as financial advisers.

EEOC Takes on the Salvation Army over English Policy.  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says two Hispanic workers were subjected to discrimination by the Salvation Army in its enforcement of an English-only policy.

Lawmakers Renew Push for Ban on Job Discrimination Against Gays.  The Employment Non-Discrimination Act would make it illegal for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing, promoting, or paying an employee based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Affects Healthcare of Gay Service Members and Veterans.  Health and policy issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender American military service members and veterans affected by the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy were explored at a recent conference.

Creating a Positive Professional Image.  Keeping on top of your personal traits is only part of the story of managing your professional image.  You also belong to a social identity group—African American male, working mother—that brings its own stereotyping from the people you work with, especially in today's diverse workplaces.

The Elusive Pat on the Back.  Supervisors need to understand that praise is a tool with a specific goal—to increase morale and productivity, according to Gary Vikesland at Employer-Employee.com.

2007 Results Announced: Best Places to Work in Industry.  The Scientist, magazine of the life sciences, announced the winners of its 5th annual Best Places to Work in Industry survey.

Focus on Development Diversity.  Speaking at the Women in Games Conference, Jennifer MacLean, general manager for Games at Comcast, argued that diversity in team-building is crucial.

Ford Recognized for Diversity Progress.  For the third time, Ford Motor Company has been named one of the top five companies for diversity by the business magazine and Web site DiversityInc.

Multicultural Camp Develops “Ambassadors for Change.”  The Diversity Institute at College Misericordia will host more than 90 high school students and senior citizens in June as part of the 12th Annual Multicultural Leadership Camp.

Signs Signal a New Attitude.  There is a thriving Philadelphia gay community that has even been officially dubbed the "gayborhood," with social, political and commercial visibility as an integral part of the city's urban landscape.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Vice President Gisel Ruiz Named a 2007 'Elite Woman' By Hispanic Business Magazine.  Each year, Hispanic Business Magazine honors 20 notable Hispanic women who are making significant contributions in business, public service and academia.

Firms Strive to Attract Diverse Workforces.  Luke Visconti, a national diversity expert, thinks that overall attitudes about diversity have changed for the better, especially in the past five years.

Task Force to Foster Workplace Diversity.  Gov. John Baldacci will form a task force to examine how Maine can diversify its work force by reaching out to minority communities.

Jackson Calls for Diversity on Air.  On the heels of the firing of radio talk show host Don Imus for his use of inflammatory and racist language, the Rev. Jesse Jackson called for television and radio networks to hire more black and Latino on-air personalities.

A Race to Embrace Diversity.  Some 2,000 participate in YWCA's annual 5K Race Against Racism downtown.  For many, "the cause" is what's most important.

Employee Diversity Training Doesn't Work.  A groundbreaking new study by three sociologists shows that diversity training has little to no effect on the racial and gender mix of a company's top ranks.

Baby Boomers Drive Age Bias Suits.  Thomas Cross worked for Lucent Technologies Inc. and its predecessors for 34 years, with a history of good evaluations.  In fact, Cross, who was an installation estimator in Chesterfield, received an “outstanding” evaluation shortly before he was fired at age 55.

Giving Women Their Fair Pay.  A new study has lanced the dark underbelly of American gender discrimination: If you're a woman in the United States , you still may not make as much money as a man—even if you perform the same job.

NewsLink is part of VA's ongoing effort to increase awareness and acceptance of diversity and to promote a flexible and inclusive work environment. For more information, visit the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity Web site at www.va.gov/dmeeo.

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