Differences and Diversity Issues: Selected Vignettes

Abstract

In an ever-changing world, certain topics—such as sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and gender—still are hot-button items for many people. This series of vignettes covers many diversity topics, primarily in the workplace, and should promote engaging and intense debate. In reading them, students should try to see each vignette from the different perspectives presented.

Excerpt

UVA-E-0322

DIFFERENCES AND DIVERSITY ISSUES:

SELECTED VIGNETTES

In an ever-changing world, certain topics—such as sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and gender—still are hot-button items for many people. The following stories, although presented in abbreviated form, cover a number of diversity issues, and should spark intense conversation. In reading them, students should try to see each vignette from the different perspectives presented.

The Junior Consultant

Chris Johnson was a junior consultant for Craig & Company, an elite strategic consulting firm. He was also openly homosexual. After working with Johnson on numerous strategy-related projects, several company executives had mentioned his skills to Maggie Wilson, the managing partner to whom Johnson reported.

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Keywords: ethics, business ethics, stakeholder theory, diversity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, leadership, discrimination, human resources