* Subject of workplace diversity is a hot button issue for some readers
A recent newsletter about workplace diversity hit a hot button with some readers. The newsletter referenced another Network World article about corporate efforts to build a more diverse IT staff and relayed an anecdote about a gay CTO who appreciates his employer’s openness and feels comfortable discussing his same-sex spouse.
“What if I feel uncomfortable about a homosexual talking about their same sex ‘outside-work’ activities – and no wonder where that could lead,” writes Mike Baker. “Maybe we should leave our personal lives at the door when we check in at work each morning. That way no one will have tendency to offend the other one, regardless of what side of the same sex fence they sit on.”
Davin Stilson objects to the idea of emphasizing people’s differences. “I’m sick and tired of corporate America acting politically correct under the guise of ‘diversity’…” He notes that our strength as a nation comes from the common bonds between us and the shared focus and goals we hold regardless of our differences, and suggests focusing on the benefits of working together towards that common goal.
And another reader who asked not to be named writes, the reason it’s tough to attract minorities to IT is that nobody wants to go into the field. “Women and the various ‘suspect classes’ (that’s legalese for groups that the courts will protect under the 14th Amendment) are just too smart to waste their lives and their gray matter on IT.”
