Workplace Buzz: Today’s Headlines

Equal Opportunity Benefits Everyone
Having equal opportunities for men and women is imperative for justice and equality, but it is also now a condition for economic progress. Companies wishing to recruit and retain talent must put men and women on equal corporate ground. Today, women are now earning qualifications that equal or better those of their male counterparts, yet their presence is still disproportionate to their merits in the professional and corporate world. Spero News

Business as Usual
There is no federal law prohibiting discrimination against gays and lesbians in the U.S., though 19 states have some form of antidiscrimination law. Indeed, today at least 282 cities and towns, across the country have added workplace protections that protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation in both public and private sector jobs. While there is still a long way to go, when a private employer decides that inclusiveness should be business as usual, it's newsworthy. GFN.com

Maintaining Cool at the Office
Being tagged as a screamer used to be a sign of macho, a signal that you were demanding better performance or telling management to shove it. Think of apes baring their teeth at the competition — it's an age-old move to make others back down. Sadly, it worked. Who wants to bring up a controversial work issue with a colleague who has a reputation for exploding? That has radically changed. One of the key requirements for management candidates these days is an ability to stay calm and focused even in the most tumultuous circumstances. Anyone still yelling over daily work issues is considered a liability lawsuit waiting to happen. Seattle Times