A bar owner in Atlanta is selling a T-shirt that shows a picture of Curious George peeling a banana, with the words “Obama ‘08″ underneath.  The bar owner, known for erecting provocative (some would say, mean-spirited) messages on the marquee outside his bar, has been branded an idiot, a racist, and worse.  His explanation that the T-shirt isn’t intended to be […]

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You have a key sales job open.  One of the applicants you interview says, “I need to be in a white territory.  The territory I have right now with my current employer has too many black people in it.  I’m someone who appeals to whites.  If you give me a white territory, I’ll make you a lot […]

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In honor of Mother’s Day, EJ Graff has posted a thought-provoking piece about working mothers in Slate Magazine.  It’s not your typical Mother’s Day greeting, but it’s worth the read. 

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I have made no secret on this blog of my belief that gender discrimination still exists.  I have tried to come at this subject in various ways that might make the subject be taken seriously and that might help human resources professionals deal with it practically and effectively.
I have no doubt that TV personality Barbara […]

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It can’t be disputed that women have made advances in all kinds of jobs over the past few decades.  A lengthy article in the New York Times Magazine about the demise of Zoe Cruz at Morgan Stanley provides the argument that it also can’t be disputed the glass ceiling women in the C-Suite bump up against is […]

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Gender issues are a common subject on this blog.  After all, these issues arise in the workplace every day and are the cause of employment lawsuits from time to time.
Women are heard to sometimes ask why these issues are still around–why some studies show a continuing gender pay gap–why there’s a glass ceiling.  Click the […]

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It’s been a while since I’ve addressed the race issue–in politics or the workplace.  But with the Pennsylvania primary, there it is again.  As noted in the New York Times and other publications, race made a difference in the outcome of that primary, and some are now wondering whether an African-American can get the Democratic nomination or be elected […]

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The Prime Minister of Spain has more women than men in his cabinet.  The Defense Minister is a woman, the first woman to head Spain’s armed forces.  What’s more, she’s seven months pregnant.  (Click here to see her and her belly reviewing the troops and to read more about this development.)  It’s speculated that she’s the first pregnant […]

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As noted previously on this blog, this year’s presidential campaign gives us a unique opportunity to engage in difficult discussions about issues that have plagued our society and our workplaces for a long time, particularly issues dealing with race and gender.  It’s my opinion that these discussions should occur in the workplace, as well as the […]

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Conversations about race continue, courtesy this time of the presidential campaign.
First, let’s review.  It’s not ok to have a picture of a noose on a magazine cover.  Next, it’s ok to have a picture of LeBron James looking a lot like King Kong on a magazine cover.  And now, it’s not ok to refer to a couple […]

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