Category Archives: diversity training consultants

Avoid a toxic workplace

December 21, 2011Discrimination, diversity training consultants, sexual harassmentcultural diversity training workshops, discrimination, harassmentleahhollis

Diversity Training Consultants

Diversity Training Consultants Patricia Berkly LLC

Today’s Need For Diversity Training Consultants Patricia Berkly LLC

Of late, you might wonder if diversity training consultants have been improperly overlooked. There have been several workplace discrimination lawsuits demonstrating the constant need for expert diversity training consultants. Toshiba is facing a $100 million law suit. Bayer employees filed a gender discrimination law suit. 3M Company has agreed to pay up to $12 million to settle a discrimination law suit. Higher education is not immune, with Auburn athletics facing a race discrimination law suit after letting go 10 African Americans. Yale is facing investigation from the Office of Civil Rights. Apparently these organizations need diversity training consultants to help develop an inclusive organizational culture. How can organizations weather the storm of discrimination law suits crossing the country? Diversity training consultants who offer interactive programs can be most helpful; in fact when considering the cost of law suits and settlements, diversity training consultants are worth their weight in gold. Initially organizations may question the value of cultural diversity training consultants; but diversity training consultants can not only create workshops, diversity training consultants can develop other programs and analyze policy. Patricia Berkly LLC is a diversity training consultants group that will also develop a tailored risk assessment so organizations can identify the benefits of hiring diversity training consultants. Interactive training, and long term support and analysis by diversity training consultants can pave the way to equity.

What is diversity?

November 25, 2011companies who offer diversity training, cultural diversity training, Cultural Diversity Training Workshops, Diversity Training, diversity training consultants, diversity training programs, diversity training programs in companiesleahhollis

What is diversity?

According to the US Census, our community is evolving to be a “minority majority” country. In several states, minority children are actually in the majority under the age of fifteen. So just what is diversity? Diversity is beyond a black and white race issue. Then what is diversity? It is beyond a man versus woman issue? What is diversity again? Diversity is about understanding the different background and experiences of people and embracing those differences? What is diversity? It describes a group of people, whether they are in the same race, gender age or background, but understanding they are all unique individuals. What is diversity? It is the fabric of our schools, communities, and workplaces. What is diversity? It is ubiquitous and constant.

What is diversity management? Diversity management moves beyond the tolerance that we discussed in the 1990s. Diversity management includes a leader’s understanding of what motivates people from different classes, races, regions, ages and experiences. What is diversity? From a leadership point of view, it is also the clear knowledge of Title VII, FMLA, and ADA rules that help a manager not only answer the question “what is diversity” but make decisions properly informed by federal laws. When a staff member asks “what is diversity” and why is it important, a leader can recognize that diversity is at the root of innovation. What is diversity? It is the germ of diverse ideas and solutions which emerge from a diverse workforce. When companies engage different demographics and ages, knowing the answer to “what is diversity” can lead the way to opening a new market share, and creating diverse revenue stream.

So when you think, “What is diversity,” it is the current trajectory of our population. In regard to business, when we think, “What is diversity,” it is at the root of problem solving and innovation. What is diversity? The answer changes in every community. But the answer to “what is diversity” lies in our ability to embrace difference and respect the civil right of each other. What is diversity? It is just good business.

Patricia Berkly LLC on the Move

November 3, 2011bullying, companies who offer diversity training, Discrimination, Diversity Training, diversity training consultantsleahhollis

Patricia Berkly LLC on the Move

Fall is a traditional time to get back in the swing of things with the beginning of the school year and people returning from vacation. Subsequently, the fall has been quite hectic for Dr. Leah Hollis, President of Patricia Berkly, LLC. In early fall, Dr. Hollis was featured on WBZN to discuss her book UNEQUAL OPPORTUNITY. Also, Dr. Hollis was featured with Coach Ron Tunick from Ventura, CA. The Pacific Coast drive time radio show informed listeners on how to be on the lookout for discriminatory behavior in the workplace. Later in September, Dr. Hollis visited St. Francis University to offer diversity training for staff and students. Workshops included “Inclusive Curriculum” and “The Intersection of Bullying and Diversity” for the athletic department. Her busy day culminated with a lecture: “Changing Agents: Innovators, leadership and diversity management.”

September also included a visit to the business owners at the Lions Club in Flemington, NJ to discuss “The Perfect Storm: Retaliation in the Workplace.” The most recent EEOC statistics again reveal that retaliation was the leading complaint area in 2011, surpassing race and gender discrimination complaints. Visit the Patricia Berkly LLC YOU TUBE Channel for lectures and other critical information on workplace discrimination.

Later the same month, Dr. Hollis also visited with the PA- NOW Conference in greater Philadelphia to present “Care for the Caregiver.” As the EEOC advises, gender discrimination is not just about being discriminated against because of gender, but also due to the care giving duties typically assigned to women.

The fall continued with a hectic schedule for Dr. Hollis as she presented “Up to Date- Out of Court: Five Updates every employer should know.” Her legal update of Supreme Court cases was provided through the Johnstown Chamber for Commerce for HRCI credits for Human Resources professional in the Laurel Highlands. The same weekend, Dr. Hollis presented a lecture for the SUPER SIXTY of Richland High School and their parents. In these tough economic times, Dr. Hollis conveyed her message of positive imagery and optimism to actualize goals and objectives. October concluded with a national webinar on Workplace Bullying and Employee Engagement. Participants attended from corporations and higher education to learn more on this critical topic plaguing the workplace. Through the year, Dr. Hollis has addressed the topic of bullying, harassment and discrimination. While bullying is technically legal, it is costly and debilitating to any organization. Visit the Patricia Berkly LLC YouTube Channel for lectures and other critical information on work place discrimination.

November will continue with a busy schedule as Dr. Hollis makes a second appearance on the Jim Blasingame Show from Alabama to discus workplace bullying. She also authored “Avoiding Bullies in the Executive Talent Acquisition Process for Todd Raphael of ERE.net. With events planned in late December, and Spring 2012, Leah Hollis of Patricia Berkly LLC has been on the move!

Stress and bullying go hand in hand…

October 6, 2011bullying, Discrimination, diversity training consultants, diversity training programs in companies, impacts of corporate diversity trainingleahhollis

Stress and bullying go hand in hand…

We might have thought bullying was one of those things we endure as kids, but it is no coincidence that during a recession and season of budgets cuts, bullying has taken a serious foothold in schools and in the workplace. Stressful situations breed bullies as it triggers insecurity and the need to have absolute control in these stressful environments. Ironically, the last thing a stressful situation needs is a bully who brings more stress to the environment.

Bullies bring emotional and psychological attacks to staff who then spend time fending off the threat, instead of time focusing on being productive. Why then don’t organizations crack down on bullies if they are so destructive?

1. Bullies are often the boss, welding control, even threatening targets with demotion or job loss if they don’t comply with
unreasonable demands.

2. Organizations often protect their management, even when management is wrong, therefore targets subordinates quietly suffer and plan an escape instead of addressing the problem.

3. Staff often makes excuses: there is not enough time, or not enough energy to address the toxic personality.

Patricia Berkly LLC offers some organizational solutions to help everyone maintain a healthy work environment. The time spent to put protective measures in place will help to maintain quality and productive employees.

1. Establish a culture of zero tolerance with strong anti-bullying policies. Be clear about what behavior is acceptable and the steps the organization will take to protect itself from a bully

2. Follow that policy. Too often organizations craft wonderful policies, yet fail to follow them, or apply them inconsistently.

3. Offer regular and consistent training. With natural attrition, any staff needs training. Such training will also empower staff as a whole to address bullying as the grassroots level.

4. Establish information interviews with staff as a standard operating procedure. In addition to other aspects of the operation
which need attention, this standard procedure could also uncover incivility in your workplace.

Protecting your organization from bullying is everyone’s responsibility. For more information, visit Leah Hollis, the President
and Founder of Patricia Berkly LLC a diversity training and consulting group. Dr. Hollis has conducted several lectures and
assisted clients with this issue. Her group is at www.diversitytrainingconsultants.com –

Sticks and Stones…

September 22, 2011Cultural Diversity Training Workshops, diversity training consultants, impacts of corporate diversity trainingbullying, discrimination, harassmentleahhollis

Sticks & stones break your bones…
But words can break a heart…

Given the unfortunate deaths of various students in the last year, several states, organizations and school districts are committing to anti-bullying training.

As no child will thrive in a hostile environment, the same applies to the workplace. Workplace bullying, much like school bullying, is on the rise, and intervention must be put into place to avoid a possible lawsuit or complaint.

The targets of bullies tend to be those outside of the mainstream in either schools or the workplace. In schools, they are typically children with disabilities, who are overweight, those with BiGala parents, etc. In the work place, they have a different ethnic or racial background and they usually sit outside of the power structure.

Patricia Berkly LLC recommends two types of inventions to quell workplace bullying:

1) Group training. When a culture is trained to identify, quarantine and eradicate bullying, the workplace is a safer place. Patricia Berkly training would assist staff members in identifying bullying and empower staff to address it head on. Further, training would include policy analysis and implementation. While staff may be trained, the organization also needs to have an early alert system, a sanctuary where targets can report issues, and a clearly defined organizational time line to address the problem.

2) Individual interventions. Patricia Berkly LLC will work with individuals to create candid interventions for those who exhibit bullying tendencies. Individual interventions would include developing strategic solutions to comply with the organization’s anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies, also establishing a leadership action plan for productive engagement with his or her staff.

Guard against bullying in your work place. Have proper training and intervention s to create a positive, inclusive and productive workplace.