In today's workplace, we now encounter more requests for diversity training for managers than equal opportunities training. But what's the distinction and do most managers agree/accept that there is a difference? In our view, when clients request diversity rather than equal opportunities what they seem to be looking for is a training course that goes one step further than the traditional equal opportunities training. They want the course to encompass issues such as acceptance of and respect for each other as well as looking at the basics of how we can ensure no one person is disadvantaged in any way. But diversity training is fraught with difficulties given the ongoing conflicts within the UK (and much of the rest of the world) about who respects whose values and how do you respect someone's values when they are in conflict with your own. Diversity training should not therefore be undertaken light heartedly or in a process driven way. When delivered, it also requires a strong facilitator/trainer given the strength of individuals' feelings in this area and some very carefully thought through content.
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