The value of a workplace diversity program may be best shown by the decisions made during economic downturns.

Do the programs stay, continuing their goal of making the working environment reflective of society at large and promoting awareness of different cultures and lifestyles?

Or do they get cut and possibly send a negative message to the employees – and the non-business world – that the company no longer considers diversity to be important.

The larger a corporation, the more extras they may add to their diversity programs – mandatory training, feedback surveys, cultural events, and employee network or support groups; programs that cost in the millions...

Hospitals and other healthcare providers in general are not as affected by bad economic times as some industries and so would not be as likely to cut back on diversity programs because of their close contact with the public...

The reasons for starting diversity programs has less to do with the economy than with responding to an event or a trend the corporate culture sees or because the legal or human resources department wants to have one, said David Gray, director of workforce and family program at non profit policy institute and think tank New America Foundation.

“Once they start they are harder to remove because it might signal a step back to certain employees,” Gray said. “People are reluctant to add them for that reason...”

Southern California with its wide mix of races and ethnicities is unique in the opportunity presented to employers to create diverse workplaces.

According to state statistics, the population of Los Angeles County was estimated to hit 10.2 million in 2006. Of that number, more than 7 million are Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, African American or Native American. About 150,000 were estimated to be multi-racial.

Seeing those numbers makes it understandable why Sherman Oaks-based author and urban historian Joel Kotkin said that in Los Angeles diversity programs are a “hangover from a different era.”

When he gets from talking with employers is they are struggling to find the best people possible to fill positions, Kotkin said, adding that what the business world needs to do is upgrade the skills of those entering the workforce regardless of their ethnicity...

For the complete article, please visit the San Fernando Valley Business Journal website.