The phenomenon of globalization has added a layer of complexity to workforce management and has moved diversity to the forefront of issues faced by global as well as American and European companies. Whether managing multicultural teams, ensuring effective cross-cultural communications, developing and retaining a global cadre of leaders, or merely trying to comply with myriad local workforce laws and regulations, human resources professionals are increasingly dealing with issues that fall under the heading of global diversity.
Global diversity is still a relatively new concept for most companies, but for multinationals, interest is rapidly growing. In a survey of about 100 diversity professionals in Fortune 500 companies by ORC Worldwide in 2003, fewer than 10 percent cited global diversity as an area of interest or responsibility. A short two years later, a 2005 survey of the diversity professionals in the same companies revealed that almost 25 percent of those companies' professionals said global diversity was now a priority for them.
Following is a selection of developments over the past year with respect to diversity, equality, and inclusion in the Asia region.
General APEC Issues Workplace Guidelines on HIV/AIDS for Employers
Health ministers from the 21 member nations of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) endorsed workplace HIV/AIDS guidelines in June 2007. APEC members include Australia,