A Retrospective View of Corporate Diversity Training From 1964 to the Present

Although its effectiveness has been questioned, over the past 30 years diversity training has become common practice in the corporate arena, as a myriad of workforce differences has gained increasing attention. The emphasis of this training has evolved from compliance-oriented content (mid-1960s to early 1980s) to improving working relationships (mid-1980s to mid-1990s) to a more recent focus on accepting and leveraging all dimensions of diversity based on the belief that enhanced business performance will result. Our purpose here is threefold: (1) to provide an historical context for diversity training in corporate America; (2) to highlight for illustrative purposes the diversity training experiences of two corporations (Sodexo, Inc., and Hewitt Associates) that have taken comprehensive approaches; and (3) to address current issues in the context of the future of the industry.