Week One Discussion Post

A Workplace Free from Discrimination

Workplace Environment

Over the course of the next four weeks, we will examine the employer-employee relationship as it relates to the legal aspects of Human Resource Management. As HR Professionals, we understand the importance of complying with employment laws in order to mitigate the exposure to liability for unlawful actions. But, more importantly, we understand our professional responsibility to create a workplace environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.  In our role as HR Managers and Directors, we seek to obtain diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace while implementing the tenets of DE&I. We are acutely aware of the importance of valuing each employee’s talents and contributions as we continue our efforts to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all our employees.

The Three Core Federal Employment Discrimination Statutes

We will analyze the three core Federal Employment Discrimination Statutes that govern the employer-employee relationship in the workplace.

· 1 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

· 2  The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)

· 3 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

We begin with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination in employment practices based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, or religion. In this module, we will examine the first three protected classes of Title VII: race, color, and national origin.

Lecture Notes

Pay close attention to the Lecture Notes below that provide the formal definitions for each statute, as well as define the elements of the statutes. In law, each phrase of a statute is meaningful and important to understand in order to be able to analyze any issue that you may be presented with in the workplace.

We will examine the root causes of discrimination as they relate to unconscious biases and prejudices. In your Discussion Board, you will analyze the role stereotyping plays in discrimination. In your DropBox Assignment, you will reflect on the root causes of racism.

Finally, HRM630 requires much reflection, some of which is uncomfortable to visit or revisit. The materials, cases, and subject matter examined in this class are of a sensitive nature. It is of utmost importance that all communications and exchanges are respectful, professional, and mindful of the diverse experiences of each student.

Cages

Dr. Marilyn Frye of Michigan State University, in her piece, “Oppression,” likens looking at discrimination issues to looking at a wire birdcage. Look at the wires closely, and you can’t see why a bird can’t just fly around it, but look at it from further away, and you see that the wire you are viewing is only one of many interconnected wires that form an impenetrable cage that keeps the bird in place. With discrimination, each little piece may not seem very significant, but put them together, and they form a different existence for one group than another, which keeps the group from progressing like those without the barriers.

"The Look"

Watch the following short video and reflect on the individual’s experience.

WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/aC7lbdD1hq0

A Workplace Free from Discrimination

Workplace Environment

Over the course of the next four weeks, we will examine the employer-employee relationship as it relates to the legal aspects of Human Resource Management. As HR Professionals, we understand the importance of complying with employment laws in order to mitigate the exposure to liability for unlawful actions. But, more importantly, we understand our professional responsibility to create a workplace environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.  In our role as HR Managers and Directors, we seek to obtain diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace while implementing the tenets of DE&I. We are acutely aware of the importance of valuing each employee’s talents and contributions as we continue our efforts to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all our employees.

The Three Core Federal Employment Discrimination Statutes

We will analyze the three core Federal Employment Discrimination Statutes that govern the employer-employee relationship in the workplace.

· 1 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

· 2  The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)

· 3 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

We begin with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination in employment practices based on an individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, or religion. In this module, we will examine the first three protected classes of Title VII: race, color, and national origin.

Lecture Notes

Pay close attention to the Lecture Notes below that provide the formal definitions for each statute, as well as define the elements of the statutes. In law, each phrase of a statute is meaningful and important to understand in order to be able to analyze any issue that you may be presented with in the workplace.

We will examine the root causes of discrimination as they relate to unconscious biases and prejudices. In your Discussion Board, you will analyze the role stereotyping plays in discrimination. In your DropBox Assignment, you will reflect on the root causes of racism.

Finally, HRM630 requires much reflection, some of which is uncomfortable to visit or revisit. The materials, cases, and subject matter examined in this class are of a sensitive nature. It is of utmost importance that all communications and exchanges are respectful, professional, and mindful of the diverse experiences of each student.

Cages

Dr. Marilyn Frye of Michigan State University, in her piece, “Oppression,” likens looking at discrimination issues to looking at a wire birdcage. Look at the wires closely, and you can’t see why a bird can’t just fly around it, but look at it from further away, and you see that the wire you are viewing is only one of many interconnected wires that form an impenetrable cage that keeps the bird in place. With discrimination, each little piece may not seem very significant, but put them together, and they form a different existence for one group than another, which keeps the group from progressing like those without the barriers.

"The Look"

Watch the following short video and reflect on the individual’s experience.

WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/aC7lbdD1hq0