Question

Bernice Ledbetter, a faculty member at Pepperdine University, says "The outcome of the trial sends a message that women simply have to accommodate such disappointing cultures.” She also said, “ you'd better work hard and make sure everyone around you knows the quality of your work and make sure that quality is unquestionable.” Do you agree with her point of view? Defend your response.

What steps should Kliener Perkins take to make its culture more attractive to talented women and minorities? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The statement simply acts as a deterrant to the women who dare to speak up against discrimination, prejudice and unwelcome behaviour which they face regularly at workplace and puts them at position of disadvantage. It also enboldens the spirit of pepetrators of such adverse action against women, minorities and anyone else who is vulnerable to such behavior. It is therefore a statement that spells resignation to such cultures, something which is not good for culture of equality and inclusiveness. If this tatement is to be followed, it will make the life more difficult for the people who are different from the majoirity in any means ( race, color, ethnicity, gender, veteran status etc).

The appropriate means to make the culture more attractive to diversity is to inculcate a feeling of equality and respect for diversity among the employees right from the beginning. If such feeling is not there, it is a duty of top management to preach it and make sure that it comes into practice. It needs to reflect in its day to day actions. Development of Cross cultural competency through trainings, promoting diversity in hiring policies to make the workplace more diverse, managing the change process from a majority workplace to a diverse workplace through effective monitoring and control, and assuming zero tolerance policies for discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity and gender amng other differentiating factors. It is not an instantaneous process, but a long lasting, slow process, which has a difficult period of transition, but will yield good results in end.