Unfortunately, though most companies will publicly display the notion that they welcome a diverse workforce on their website and in other literature, the mere fact that workplace discrimination cases continue to be filed at an unacceptably epidemic rate indicates that no matter what a company says about itself, it may not always be true.

Although workplace diversity seems to be making progress in many of the nation's employers, current statistics compiled by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) indicate that workplace discrimination is on the rise. However, as is usually the case with many violations of the law, there are more actual occurrences than reported occurrences.

A few years ago I had a lovely three course lunch with a few of my African American, Hispanic, and Asian friends at the world famous Tavern on the Green restaurant, just off of Central Park in New York City. The atmosphere and the food were wonderful, but according to a recent settlement what was alleged to be going on behind the scenes at the famed restaurant was something quite the opposite.

In recent weeks, there have been two landmark decisions made that effectively grant gay couples the same status as married couples. The most prominent decision happened earlier this month when the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage in the nation's most populous state is legal. That ruling overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage.

An interesting ruling out of India brings to light a new question on workplace sexual harassment: should we allow workplace sexual harassment claims to include acts that occur outside the physical workplace? At first glance, this question seems like an attempt at extending workplace policy into personal life, but that is not necessarily the case.

Many of you may remember a movie called American History X, which examined racism and discrimination through the eyes and actions of a reformed neo Nazi ex con. What I remember most about this movie is that the main character’s father used racist terms in the home and effectively taught his children to be discriminatory and racist in their adult actions.

For the first time in its 141-year history, Morehouse College, a Historically Black College known for educating some of the world’s most talented Black men, has a white valedictorian. Earlier this week, Joshua Packwood became the first white valedictorian in the college’s storied history .

As the talent shortage in the US looms, more older workers are bypassing retirement to remain in the workforce, retirees are coming out of retirement and rejoining the workforce, and many of the over 50 crowd are changing jobs. But what many older job seekers find out the hard way is that the job search has changed dramatically since the last time they put themselves on the job market, which in some cases may have been decades ago.

According to figures released the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2007 was a record year for racial harassment cases, racking up nearly 7,000 claims by year’s end. And if the recent news about Conectiv Energy’s recent $1.65 million discrimination settlement is any indication, the upward trend in racial harassment claims doesn’t seem likely to die down anytime soon.

It is well known that many companies are challenged in their diversity recruiting efforts, but it can be even more challenging for companies to retain their valued diversity employees. As we slide further towards what seems to be an inevitable recession, more companies may have to cut back on benefits and perks, many of which are used as incentives to attract and retain diversity employees.