How to Avoid Legal Battles Over Dress Codes
Montana Court Says Obesity May Be Impairment, Protected Against Discrimination
From the Associated Press
Excerpt: "The state Supreme Court says obesity qualifies as an impairment in some cases under the Montana Human Rights Act, potentially allowing obese people to seek greater protection against discrimination."
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How to Avoid Legal Battles Over Dress Codes
By David Barron, Diversity Executive Magazine
Excerpt: "Conflicts over dress codes and requests for accommodation abound in an increasingly diverse workforce. Here are some legal tips diversity leaders should take into account.
What if a company’s new receptionist shows up for work wearing a headscarf? Or a male truck driver refuses to shave his beard because growing a beard is an essential part of his cultural identity?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination on a number of grounds, race, religion, gender and national origin included. Each of these protected classifications can be related to the dress or appearance of an employee in the workplace. Each could also set up a confrontation that could result in litigation."
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Fired Up About the Next Generation of Women Leaders
By Jeffrey Cattel, Diversity Executive Magazine
Excerpt: "In a male-dominated profession, see how one woman is blazing the trail for female firefighters in Hawaii.
At the end of May, Janis Kimata was promoted to assistant fire chief in Kekaha, Hawaii, making her the state’s highest ranking female chief officer. She is only the second woman to attain this rank in the 161-year history of the islands’ fire service.
Kimata is responsible for overseeing all firefighting efforts at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, the world’s largest multi-environment range. As such, the facility has space for surface (ships), subsurface (submarines), air and space operations.
Kimata spoke with Diversity Executive about her experience as a high-ranking female in a male-dominated profession and the reasons for her success.
Read the Full Article – Fired Up About the Next Generation of Women Leaders
Men Advocating REAL Change
By Catalyst and Compliments of Profiles in Diversity Journal
Excerpt: "A lot of guys get that equality programs—things like flexible work arrangements, mentoring programs, on-site childcare, and legislative solutions for equal pay—are good for women and men. They believe in equality, not just because they care about women, but because they recognize it’s in their own interests. For example, of the more than 25 million married couples with children in the United States in 2010, 57.7% were dual-career couples. And in 2009, working wives contributed 37.1% to family income. Yet many women today still earn less and get promoted less frequently than men from day one of their careers—regardless of their aspirations, credentials, work experience and parenthood status. Over the course of a 40-year career, this can add up to an average of $380,000 in lost wages. For fathers who rely on their partner’s income, support for pay equity is a no-brainer. Equal pay equals more money for the family."
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Hiring Service Disabled Veterans: An Opportunity Not to be Missed
By Nadine Vogel, Profiles in Diversity Journal
Excerpt: "According the the U.S. department of defense personnel and procurement statistics, tens of thousands of veterans serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding duty stations have lost a hand or limb, been severely burned, blinded, have lost hearing, been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a traumatic brain injury (TBIs), or other service-connected disabilities."
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Calling All White Men: Can Training Help Create Inclusive Workplaces?
Excerpt: "Men—and white men in particular—have a critical role to play in creating inclusive workplaces. But how can companies support this group as they step up to the challenge of creating inclusive leadership?"
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Workers with Disabilities Do NOT Need Our Charity: ‘Give’ Something that Benefits All of Us – Opportunity
By Jan Long, Founder & CEO of Mitchell Marketing Group, dba The Mr. Canary® Company
Excerpt: "Business owners and managers have to begin to view employing workers with disabilities as an advantagethat will add value to their companies, not as philanthropy or charity. That mindset shortchanges the contributions of all of us.
When business leaders begin to see what they can gain, as opposed to what they “should give,” the paradigm shifts. It will also change the way workers with disabilities recognize their value.And when that happens – well, we can tackle the problem between this one and our next goal, right?"
Read the Full Article – Workers with Disabilities Do NOT Need Our Charity