According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of African-American, Asian- American, Hispanic, and American Indians working in this country made up only 7.6% of the workforce fifty years ago. By 2000, that percentage more than doubled to 16%.
	Women are slowly commanding more leadership roles in the workplace, though they still only account for 15.7% of corporate officers, according to the most recent findings of Catalyst, the New York-based nonprofit research organization that focuses on women in business.
	Beyond race, ethnicity, gender, and age, there are more cultural groups that cannot be ignored. Gays and lesbians, people with disabilities and older workers also represent critical workforce resources and potential markets for today's companies.

More information on diversity can be found in the PPC module "Workplace Diversity."

Some Helpful Hints About Diversity:

Diversity values differences, but doesn't stereotype.

	Stereotypes tend to be limiting and are often negative (e.g., lazy, indecisive; good at details but not the big picture)
	They fail to recognize individual differences
	They usually reflect lack of exposure to members of stereotyped groups

Diversity is not about Affirmative Action or a Quota System

	Diversity accepts people's differences rather than focusing on them
	It applies to all members of the workforce, including white males
	Diversity creates a level playing field for all employees

Employers benefit from the differences of a diverse workforce.

	Individuals with different backgrounds may contribute different perspectives to a project, not lower abilities
	Different experiences, skills, approaches, talents, and perspectives benefit all organizational functions
	Diversity enables employers to make the most of employees' differences rather than worrying about them