Focusing on business leadership practices that encourage diversity and inclusivity, this proposal explores the benefits of forging policies within companies that are not only fair-minded but also principled. This guide will inspire HR managers by pointing out the need to create workplace environments guided by moral, ethical, and equal opportunity principles and built on a foundation of fairness, openness, accountability, as well as legal rights. The study argues that warding off discriminatory practices is not just about doing the right thing or about following the letter of the law but instead is about bettering workplaces, nurturing the spirit of employees, cultivating people resources, and propelling forward through the productivity and ingenuity of talent.
Cari M. Dominguez is the owner of Dominguez & Associates, a management consulting firm that provides selective services in the areas of workforce assessments and diversity evaluations. She is director of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration, and the former chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Jude Sotherlund is president of Sotherlund Consulting. Her public service includes serving as deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards and as a staff assistant in the Office of Communications at the White House. Her private sector experience includes vice president of Employment Advisory Services Inc. and the director of communications for the National Committee for Quality Health Care.