DIVERSITY MOVES INTO TRAINING MAINSTREAM

(AANEWSWIRE)BOSTON -- Corporate diversity programs will continue their growth in 2006 but increasingly will be combined with other employee training initiatives, according to Mike Hyter, President and CEO of Boston consulting firm Novations/J. Howard Associates.

“Including and developing every person are indispensable in today’s organization and senior management recognizes that diversity programs should no longer be separate but integrated with the training and development mainstream,” said Hyter. “It’s now accepted that stand-alone, one-shot diversity training is less effective or enduring than when it’s incorporated with ongoing development efforts.”

Hyter cited other trends in diversity training:

Age-related conflict - Workplace conflict and tension are expected to build in the near term as the age gap widens between Baby Boomers and younger employees. Boomers, who for the most part make up top management, are frustrated by what appears to be younger employees’ lack of traditional ambition and respect for hierarchy. This values gap that will continue to challenge organizations.

GLBT Issues - More organizations are hard pressed to find a balance between providing a safe work environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and committing the company to public positions on such controversial issues as gay marriage laws, pro or con. Likewise, organizations that champion LGBT rights and offer partner benefits may still find it difficult to change the internal culture and protect LGBT employees from harassment.

Globalization - If it was an emerging issue a year or two ago globalization has now become the dominant trend shaping overall employee development as well as diversity training. Differences between the U.S. workplace and the rest of the world are disappearing, and immigration and demographic shifts are transforming the American workforce. As a result, organizations seek global training solutions, even when issues and ethnic divisions vary by country and region.

“Employers find it hard to stay out in front of the challenges posed by globalization,” said Hyter. “By its nature, globalization resists any a single-note solution and demands from management a flexibility and willingness to learn more about employees and their concerns.”

Established in 1977, J. Howard & Associates is a division of Novations Group, Inc. and is among the country's leading resources on diversity, inclusion and human resource development. The firm serves client organizations in North and South America as well as Europe. For further information or research findings on diversity issues go to http://www.jhoward.com. Contact: Pat FitzGerald, Novations/J. Howard & Associates, 617-787-2163.