The Manager's Pocket Guide to Diversity Management

Diversity History and Approaches

Diversity History

To understand diversity from a contemporary perspective, it is helpful to briefly review the history of diversity in the U.S. workplace over the past 30 years. Several governmental initiatives have been enacted with regard to diversity. They include initiatives such as:

Civil Rights Act

This act was created as an outgrowth of the human rights movement and was enacted in 1964. It was the beginning of a wave of social change that continues even today.

Affirmative Action

Shortly after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Affirmative Action legislation was enacted. Its intent was to ensure that employers took positive steps to attract, promote, and retain women and minorities if they were underrepresented ...