Case Study 31 Support Networks in the Corporate Culture Scot

Case Study 3.1 Support Networks in the Corporate Culture

Scott is a manager with Siebert, Inc. He’s been with the company for eight years and has been happy with the firm’s diversity initiatives, supporting them completely. One of the diversity initiatives is to encourage company support networks for specific diverse groups. So far four successful support networks have emerged: Women’s Support Network, African American Support Network, Lesbian Support Network and Filipino American Support Network. Seibert Inc. proudly sponsor event that these networks organize, allows members to meet twice a month on company time, and encourages the networks to share their concerns and new ideas with management.

                During the past few months several Euro-American male employees have approached Scott asking for permission to start a Euro-American Male Support Network Membership in this new network would be limited to Euro-American men.

1.       What surface problems do you notice?

2.       What root problems might be causing the surface problems?

3.       If you were Scott, what would you do?

Solution

I notice the issues related to the exclusive section of Europe American male support network. The previous networks were diverse in their approach and nature with Women’s Support Network, African American Support Network, Lesbian Support Network and Filipino American Support Network. However it will not be ideal to have a network designed specifically for men.

It is a different situation if there would be a demand for Europe American network like Filipino American, African American Support. This is a general network supporting Filipino Americans and not Filipino men. There is no categorization of gender. This is unlike the demand for Euro American men which singles out men. The company giving special treatment and preference for men by implementing Euro American network would be unfair. It would be an indirect discrimination against women.

If I were Scott I would suggest Euro American network instead of Euro American male support network. This would be discriminatory towards Euro American women who would also want to be part of the Euro American network.