101 Tools for
Tolerance
Simple Ideas for Promoting Equity
and Celebrating Diversity*
Ideas for Your Workplace
*A project of the Southern Poverty Law Center www.tolerance.org
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101 Tools for
Tolerance Ideas for Your Workplace *A project of the Southern Poverty Law Center www.tolerance.org |
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| 1. Hold a "diversity potluck" lunch. Invite co-workers to bring dishes that reflect their cultural heritage. | 2. Arrange a "box-lunch forum" on topics of diverse cultural and social interest. | 3. Partner with a local school and encourage your colleagues to serve as tutors or mentors. |
| 4. Sponsor a community-wide "I Have a Dream" essay contest. | 5. Examine the degree of diversity at all levels of your workplace. Are their barriers that make it harder for people of color and women to succeed? Suggest ways to overcome them. | 6. Cast a wide net when recruiting new employees. |
| 7. Give everyone a chance for that promotion. Post all job openings. | 8. Fight against the "just like me" bias - the tendency to favor those who are similar to ourselves. | 9. Value the input of every employee. Reward managers who do. |
| 10. Avoid singling out employees of a particular race or ethnicity to "handle" diversity issues on behalf of everyone else. | 11. Vary your lunch partners. Seek out co-workers of different backgrounds, from different departments, and at different levels in the company. | 12. Start a mentoring program that pairs veteran employees with newcomers. |
| 13. Establish an internal procedure for employees to report incidents of harassment or discrimination. Publicize the policy widely. | 14. Add social justice funds to 401(k) investment options. | 15. Ensure that your workplace complies with the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
| 16. Push for equitable leave policies. Provide paid maternity and paternity leave. | 17. Don't close your door. Foster an open working environment. | 18. Advocate for domestic partnership benefits. |
| 19. Provide employees with paid leave to participate in volunteer projects. | 20. Publicize corporate giving widely, and challenge other companies to match or exceed your efforts. |
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