Discrimination Is Expensive

On any given day one can search almost any medium and find instances of alleged discrimination of some type on all levels and in all professions.

The restaurant and retail service industry is a multibillion dollar per year industry that spans the entire continent, employing millions of workers, whether part time, or exempt career employees.

The service industry has gone virtually unnoticed when dealing with the psychosocial dynamics of a sometimes poor workplace environment, giving credence to the lack of governance in our workplaces. Often the cost of discrimination can have an adverse affect on businesses.

Corporate America needs to jumpstart a frank discussion of the problems of bias and prejudice which still exist. Corporate America is where we spend most of our waking hours.

Discriminatory practices continue to flourish and plaque Corporate America because we have not been able to fully accept cultural differences of gender, ethnicity, age, and disabilities consistently in the workplace. Corporate America has not embraced the cultural changes we are now facing.

There are times when executives fear loss of their jobs if they don't kowtow to their boss's lax attitudes toward company policy and employee civil rights. But someone has to be willing to enforce the policies on the company's books, and not fall prey to a Gang mentality laced with ignorance and stupidly. One courageous person could save a company and its employees untold pain and suffering.

There are many companies throughout our landscape in corporate America displaying high sensitivity toward their employees and creating a workplace environment that is more than just tolerable; I commend the efforts of these companies. These companies make the environment and conditions great for their employees to come to work.

One specific law that helps employees is the whistle blower law. This legislation is necessary in Corporate America and can be effective in exposing discriminatory practices in the workplace. I don't see this legislation wearing out its usefulness in the workplace.

I view the whistle blower law as being similar to an order of protection. While the law cannot stop the employer from bringing retribution and retaliation against the whistle blower, there can be substantial ramification for the employer if they partake in any such actions. However, laws do not necessarily change what a person believes or feels. But a law can change a person's behavior for the greater good.

The whistle blower legislation is exemplary to the Civil Law, Title VII Act. The whistle blower law levels the playing field for the employer and its employees. This law empowers witnesses who fear they might lose their jobs if they choose to speak out on injustice in the workplace;

CEO's and other corporate executives with strong ethics and strong leadership skills are key to establishing the standards for their organization. Leaders who are vigilant in their quest for true equality can and must change the mindset of Corporate America.

Edward R. Marrow, one of the most renowned radio broadcast journalists once said, "No one can eliminate prejudices-just recognize them."

Shortly after college Mr. Alston started his career in the food and beverage industry where he was employed with the same company for thirty years.

James E. Alston was born in 1951, in the rural setting of Franklin County, North Carolina; the oldest of three children. His family relocated to New York in 1957. He was recognized and awarded with numerous recognition plaques and certificates of accomplishment during his tenure with his Corporation. Mr. Alston holds recognition for community involvement while employed in his business field along with personal recognition for involvement with various youth and charity groups in the different states in which he resided.