HHS grants seek to encourage health care workforce diversity
News-Medical.Net
Howard University received $1.5 million from the Obama administration to train student nurses and others in sciences such as radiology and occupational therapy. The award was a fraction of $96 million in grants doled out by the Department of Health and Human Services on July 1 to hundreds of health-profession programs at colleges and universities nationwide. The money is especially intended to increase the racial diversity of the health-care workforce by keeping minority students in health classes, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement. Reports have estimated that the average nursing student leaves school with nearly $50,000 in loan debt."More

EEOC celebrates 45th anniversary
Federal News Radio
Discrimination in the workplace was banned under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was created as a part of that Act to enforce this law. The EEOC is celebrating its 45th anniversary. Carlton Hadden, Director of the EEOC's Office of Federal Operations joins the Federal Drive to discuss what lies ahead for the agency.More

The balancing of church and cubicle
The New York Times
You want to take time off for a religious observance that does not occur on your day off or on a paid holiday. Should you tell your manager the reason, or just take it as personal time and leave it at that?More

Black doctors address historical racial divide
South Florida Times
Some of American history really hurts. Still. For years, numerous studies have documented the African-American legacy of separate and unequal care. Black people are more likely than whites to die of cancer and heart disease, more likely to get diabetes and asthma, and less likely to get preventive care and screening.More

Tips on how to manage diversity in an organization
Economic Times
As borders blur and markets break regional barriers, companies are helping their employees work in a spirit of harmony by inculcating a cosmopolitan work culture. "Diversity management," as companies call it, is no longer about helping expatriate employees fit in with local culture. It's as much about getting people from various parts of the country to work as a team, and developing customized training modules.More

Missouri governor signs historic order for equal opportunity
The St. Louis American
Pledging a more inclusive and diverse state workforce, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed a historic executive order at the 101st annual meeting of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People conference in Kansas City. The order puts in place a Code of Fair Practices to ensure "there will be no vestiges of discrimination, not only in employment practices but also in providing services and operating our facilities," Nixon told the conference audience. Nixon is the first among governors in the country to include sexual orientation in such order, said Kelvin Simmons, state commissioner of administration.More

Bridging the cultural divide with sensitivity
The Vancouver Sun
While Canadians prize multiculturalism, cultural understanding is a very different animal. Jerry Wood — a Cree First Nations elder born and raised in Saddle Lake — knows this firsthand: "I always tell people, 'We know all about you guys, but you don't know anything about us. You don't know our traits and values … or why we are the way we are.' "More

Small business wants exemption from pregnancy discrimination laws
ABC Online
Small business owners say they should be exempt from laws that prohibit discrimination against pregnant women. The business owners are responding to the Fair Work Ombudsman's move to pursue pregnancy discrimination claims on behalf of women.More

The New Republic: The post-gender justice
NPR
The past few months have seen plenty of commentary about Elena Kagan's status as one of only a few women ever nominated to the Supreme Court. But much of this commentary has rung hollow, consisting of platitudes about how she is a "trailblazer." Practically no one has focused on what is perhaps a far more important aspect of her gender: Elena Kagan might very well be the first female nominee to the Supreme Court who does not define her gender as salient to her public life.More