Question

Valuing “All” Employees

When a long-time contract employee for Pacific Gas & Electric in Tracy, California, was the first in his unit to be laid off, he claimed that the others—an African American woman and a man of Indian descent—had been kept on (even though they were less qualified than he was) because PG&E was intent on creating a more diverse workplace.

1. What can companies do to prevent white males from feeling discriminated against or victimized by diversity efforts and training programs instead of valued as "diverse" employees in their own right?

2. In your opinion, when does affirmative action end and reverse discrimination begin? Be specific without getting too emotionally charged.

Answer 1

1:companies can do a lot to prevent white males from feeling discriminated against or victimized by diversity efforts and training programs instead of valued as "diverse" employees in their own right by hiring the employee that best fits the job and that hiring decision are not to over reach the outreach to the minority members. Also all the laws prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin etc. irrespective of whether it is reverse or normal discrimination thus following these laws would enable company to not discriminate to any employee or applicants in hiring process. Have a robust fair and transparent policy in treating the employee and recruiting new applicants can also be a solution to reverse discrimination.

2.
The affirmative action end and reverse discrimination begin when the management stress on the HRM to focus on diversity as target to achieve rather than a mean to have innovative environment at work place and efficient work culture. The management shall also consider the discrimination aspect related to it while focusing on diversity that is while stressing on diversity, it shall ensure that it do end up discriminating against other. Thinking only of diversity may give rise to reverse discrimination so diversity shall be the focus for company to have competitive advantage and good working culture but it shall ensue through its values and policies that it do not end up in discriminating against the majority group. This is something to be followed by management and there shall be regular conference and seminars on this issue within organization to make its employee aware of the same