The Next L.A. / Reinventing Our Future : The Workplace : IDEA FILE: Reward Diversity

How It Works

Companies would directly reward managers for the promotion and retention of minorities and women. Each manager’s job description would include fostering diversity by hiring minority and women workers and helping them thrive in the organization. Periodically, managers would be evaluated on how well they met these goals and a portion of their annual raises would be tied to meeting these goals.

Benefits

Managers have a personal interest in promoting diversity and making sure their employees want to stay with the company.

Short-term or Long-term Impact?

Changes can be made immediately and the effects felt soon after. But the changes also can be lasting, depending on the company’s commitment.

Supporters

Most experts agree that a diverse work force can respond better in today’s diverse marketplace. Women and ethnic minorities have been blocked by “glass ceilings” from moving up in business organizations. Rewarding managers who diversify would go a long way toward smashing the glass ceiling. Media giant Gannett Corp. has used such a system with marked success.

Opponents

Some critics say such changes could damage the morale of workers not targeted for assistance and create dissension in the work force.

The Costs

They would vary depending on the company and the size and success of the program.

“REALITY CHECK”

Several corporations have found this to be an effective tool. Considered a very realistic possibility. Yes.