The word “education” is derived from the Latin word “educare”. It means to draw out, or to call forth what is already present as a possibility. The phrase “what is already present as a possibility” may be the essence of all that is really meant by “human resources” in the realm of the modern workplace.
In today’s world, just about anything seems possible. And in today’s workplace world, the presence of individuals who represent the entire rainbow of human diversity is beyond possibility…it is a certainty.
The best tool that organizations have at their disposal to ensure inclusion of all members of a diverse workforce is education.
The Programs
Common Ground is the leading education resource for employee education regarding sexual orientation in the workplace, gender identity and a “now for something completely different” take on gender roles at work. and domestic partner benefits.
Sexual Orientation Education
The three main areas of focus of any Common Ground course for sexual orientation in the workplace are:
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Creating safe and cooperative working environments to ensure maximum productivity
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Demonstrating, in a cost effective manner, that every employee is valued equally
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Making available information about sexual orientation that increases each participant’s knowledge of the subject that positively affects each person’s behavior in the workplace.
Every education program developed and delivered by Common Ground is based on two fundamental principles:
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Gender Identity in the Workplace
Transgender people are making themselves known and felt as a force in the workplace in such numbers as has never been experienced before in the workplace. It’s estimated that at least 1000 people undergo full transition from one sex to the other each year; more and more, these transitions take place while the individual is gainfully employed.
In this course, we explain gender dysphoria and transgender people in all their manifestations – we explore the causes of transsexualism (which is the ultimate status for a transgender person and the one that most affects workplace relationships), treatment options, transitioning on the job and the ways in which a transition affects the individual and other members of the workforce. Most importantly, we provide legal, moral and ethical solutions to the challenges that employers face when working with transgender employees and other employees too.
When an employee transitions, the best way for an organization to work with him / her and with everyone else – internal or external to the organization – is by having a well-thought out, proactive transition plan. Common Ground’s education programs in this area of workplace diversity more often than not come to encompass the development of one, as well as laying the foundation for a truly inclusive, healthy, safe and continually productive workplace for all its members.
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Gender Roles at Work – Affinity, not Conflict
Why gender “affinities”? Affinity means a similarity or likeness that connects persons or things; a feeling of identification with somebody or something. Also, in biology--a similarity in structure between groups that may suggest a common origin. In the best workplace scenario, colleagues are able to find ways to identify with one another—i.e., forge productive affinities. The resulting increase in flexibility and resilience, along with reduced conflict, are good for business. It is possible to recognize & honor socially important differences while putting a stronger emphasis on finding common ground. At its worst, a “the sexes are separate species” approach effectively restricts people to gender boxes, so that only a narrow range of their full capabilities can be tapped. Most basically, the separate species approach hold that that men and women are different in particular and immutable ways, so that that they are incapable of stepping into each other’s traditional roles. For instance, in this view, men are supposedly incapable of being fully functional parents or of expressing their emotions effectively. Women, by contrast, are supposedly incapable of attaining “genius” (as opposed to middle-of-the road competence) in art, science, business, or any other pursuit. A “gender affinities” approach means deciding not to validate or contribute to that divisiveness and the hostility it tends to generate.
Heady stuff…interesting and compelling. Our classes take people into realms of gender role at work that they have likely never visited before and the results of having done so are startlingly positive.
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The Process
Common Ground’s offerings, regardless of topic or content, all benefit from a process of Curriculum Development that is both concise and comprehensive.
The elements of our Curriculum Development efforts occur in close coordination and cooperation with our clients, and all are focused on ensuring that the program(s) we design and deliver will garner the desired results. These elements are:
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Assessment of the client’s requirements and environment
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Focus groups designed from the assessment tool conclusions to get the best
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Possible overview of organizational culture
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Piloting of the proposed curricula
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Professional facilitation of the final program to senior management and select others
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Constant evaluation and adjustment of the program as necessary
A typical curriculum design, development and delivery project will include all of these steps to a greater or lesser degree. In other words, the assessment may be done in conjunction with the focus groups instead of as a separate preparatory step; or professional facilitation to senior management or administration might occur at the same time as in-house trainers are being brought up to speed on the programs. |
