Workforce Diversity

Prison Reform
blog
Defunding Prisons, Preventing Cyberattacks, Promoting COVID-19 Vaccinations: RAND Weekly Recap
Aug 13, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on defunding prisons, how to deter ransomware attacks, overcoming barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, and more.
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Workforce Management
commentary
Inequality in Opportunity to Work from Home an Underlying Condition Likely Aggravated by the Pandemic
Kathryn E. Bouskill @kebouskill, Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
May 14, 2021
Detroit News
Building a safe, healthy workforce where success, productivity, and financial security are available to all segments of American society could provide resilience against inevitable future shockwaves. Since working from home is a key part of such resilience, policymakers could focus on supporting the advantages, remediating the downsides, and expanding access to this form of work.
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Vaccination
blog
Vaccine Hesitancy, Sexual Misconduct in the U.S. Military, the Iran Nuclear Deal: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 5, 2021
This weekly recap focuses on Black Americans' vaccine hesitancy, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the U.S. military, rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, and more.
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Return-to-Work Programs and Policies
commentary
Helping Mothers Return to Work Is a Gender Equality Issue
Michaela Bruckmayer, Joanna Hofman @JoannaBHofman
Jan 21, 2021
Open Access Government
Employers and policymakers play a crucial role in ensuring that women are not unnecessarily disadvantaged when they have children. Policies such as access to family leave, job protection, and childcare options can play a large role.
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Work-Family Conflicts
commentary
Supporting Working Parents Could Accelerate Recovery
Melanie A. Zaber @MelanieZaber, Kathryn A. Edwards @keds_economist
Jan 15, 2021
The RAND Blog
Since the COVID-19 recession started last February, almost 3 million women have left the labor force. With vaccines rolling out, will they go back to work? There are several policies that could help.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Americans' Financial Struggles, COVID-19 Vaccinations, Virtual Schools: RAND Weekly Recap
Dec 18, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on Americans' ongoing financial struggles, how we can learn from the first phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, why virtual schools may be here to stay, and more.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
COVID-19 Gave Managers a Look at Our Home Lives. Will They Now Penalize Women?
Lisa Abraham, Kathryn A. Edwards @keds_economist
Dec 14, 2020
The RAND Blog
The pandemic gave managers a window into the struggles of working women. What will they do with this information? Will they accommodate women by making exceptions to their established norms? Or will they do the harder work of remaking their culture so women are no longer the exception?
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
blog
Working Women, the Intelligence Community, Syrian Refugees: RAND Weekly Recap
Dec 4, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on supporting America's working women, challenges facing the next Director of National Intelligence, how Syria's forever war is creating forever refugees, and more.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Women Are Leaving the Labor Force in Record Numbers
Kathryn A. Edwards @keds_economist
Nov 24, 2020
Dallas Morning News
The economic downturn during the pandemic is affecting women workers measurably more than men. There were 2.2 million fewer women in the labor force in October 2020 than there were last October. Investing in childcare and expanding labor laws could keep women employed and buoy the entire economy.
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Health Care Quality
commentary
When It Comes to U.S. Health Systems—Diversity Matters
Ryan E. Tsuchida, Sydney Fouche, John Burkhardt, Ted Corbin, Harrison Alter, Mahshid Abir
Sep 25, 2020
The RAND Blog
Health care systems are a powerful and relatively well-resourced stakeholder in the effort to eliminate inequities both among the health workforce and among patient populations. The deliberate practice of increasing diversity within the workplace may have the power to create significant, positive impacts on workplace culture and patient care.
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Organizational Leadership Development
blog
Pardee RAND's Faculty Leaders Program: Shaping the Future of Public Policy
Sep 3, 2020
To be effective, public policy needs to reflect the aspirations, lives, and perspectives of the people it serves. The Pardee RAND Graduate School seeks to build diversity in public policy by engaging faculty leaders from U.S. colleges and universities committed to serving students of color.
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Political Reform Movements
blog
Radicalization, the Gender Pay Gap, Israel-UAE Deal: RAND Weekly Recap
Aug 21, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the potential for a new era of radicalization, insights into the gender pay gap, why the Israel-UAE deal doesn’t merit the hype, and more.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
The Link Between Workplace Diversity and the Gender Pay Gap
Christopher M. Whaley @cm_whaley, Anupam B. Jena
Aug 15, 2020
USA Today
Many factors explain the gender earnings gap, including workplace biases, differences in how credit is attributed, and differences in how men and women negotiate. But another factor could influence the pay women receive: the number of men in their workplace.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Equal Pay for Equal Work: How Binding Pay Transparency Measures May Help
Michaela Bruckmayer
May 12, 2020
Encompass
More than 60 years ago, the EU introduced the principle of equal pay for equal work for men and women. But a gender pay gap persists in most countries. In 2014, a European Commission Recommendation encouraged measures to aid pay transparency, but implementation has been limited.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Economic Recovery in Egypt Should Include Women
Louay Constant
May 11, 2020
United Press International
Despite tremendous strides in educational attainment, women's engagement in the labor force in Egypt remains limited. Will Egypt's post-pandemic recovery further exacerbate structural barriers and inequities? Or could the current economic crisis be an opportunity to develop new opportunities to employ women and foster conditions for a more inclusive and diversified labor force?
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
A Proposed COVID-19 Cure, Economic Decline, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap
May 1, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the unintended consequences of a proposed COVID-19 treatment, another wave of economic destruction, North Korea after Kim Jong Un, and more.
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Sleep
blog
School Start Times, Streaming Apps, Brexit: RAND Weekly Recap
Oct 18, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on later school start times, how streaming apps could help Americans be more active, the latest Brexit news, and more.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Stop Calling Us 'Women Experts'
Caroline Baxter, Elizabeth Bodine-Baron @bodinebaron
Oct 11, 2019
The RAND Blog
To get to a place where a woman's expertise is valued as implicitly as a man's, women must be freed of the baggage of being “women scholars” and “women policymakers.” Instead, women must be given that most significant form of respect: Just call us experts.
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Wargaming
essay
A Wargame at RAND Puts Teen Girls in Command
Aug 20, 2019
RAND analysts developed and hosted a wargame to help young women learn firsthand about national security. It's a lesson in strategy, in the hard realities behind news headlines, but also in agility and resilience. In that, it's not so far removed from the daily life of a teenage girl.
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization
blog
NATO's 70th Anniversary, Food Deserts, Teachers: RAND Weekly Recap
Apr 5, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on effective teachers, NATO's 70th anniversary, food deserts, and more.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Ending the 'Brogrammer' Culture: How to Close the Gender Gap
Lucy Hocking
May 17, 2018
Public Technology
Despite recent progress, women are significantly outnumbered in technology, comprising only 30 percent of the workforce worldwide. It's up to society, governments, and technology companies to close the gap. Improving internet access, education, and career opportunities for women could help.
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Gender Integration in the Military
commentary
On RAND's Research Findings Regarding Transgender Military Personnel Policy
Agnes Gereben Schaefer
Mar 27, 2018
The RAND Blog
In September 2015, the Department of Defense asked RAND to initiate a study on the implications of allowing transgender personnel to serve openly. Since its publication, the research has been widely viewed as the most comprehensive and authoritative analysis on this topic. RAND stands by the study's research approach, analysis, and findings.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Female Drivers Can Put Saudis on Road to Enhanced Growth
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson
Sep 29, 2017
The Hill
Allowing women to get behind the wheel will likely lead to significant long-term changes in Saudi Arabia's economy and the participation of women in the labor force.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Cybersecurity Badge: One Big Step for Girl Scouts, Potentially Giant Leap for Women
Lara Schmidt
Aug 3, 2017
USA Today
The Girl Scouts will start offering 18 cybersecurity badges next year. In addition to exposing girls to cyber concepts and challenges, this could encourage them to pursue cybersecurity or other STEM careers in which women are underrepresented.
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commentary
Why Europe's Work-Life Balance Proposal Could Be in Limbo for Years
Barbara Janta
May 30, 2017
New Europe
The work-life balance proposal has a chance of having an impact on the labor markets and welfare systems in Europe. However, given the variation in policies across member states and levels of political support among key stakeholders, the proposal may end up stuck in negotiations.
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commentary
On 'Hidden Figures' and Being the Only Woman in the Room
Susan L. Marquis @susanlmarquis
Mar 12, 2017
Scientific American
RAND's Susan Marquis discusses the three brilliant African-American women depicted in the film Hidden Figures, the critical role of women in RAND's history, and more.
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Technical Professions
commentary
To Increase Diversity in Tech, We Need to Rethink What 'Tech' Is
Diana Gehlhaus
Nov 17, 2016
The Hill
Rethinking what defines today's tech jobs, along with greater investment in public-private partnerships, could go a long way toward bridging the diversity gap.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Is It Time to Extend Maternity Leave Across Europe?
Lucy Strang, Miriam Broeks
Sep 13, 2016
EurActiv
Any policy solution for extending maternity leave must strike a balance between protecting infant health through extended breastfeeding and mitigating any potentially negative impact on the mother's career progression or increased costs to business.
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People with Disabilities
commentary
Accommodation for Disabled Workers: Knowledge of Rights a Good Start
Kathleen J. Mullen @KathleenJMullen
Aug 29, 2016
The RAND Blog
With a 36 percent chance of becoming disabled at least once before reaching age 50, it is imperative that workers know their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the resources available to help them.
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Globalization
commentary
Evolving 21st-Century Workplace and the American Workforce: Trends and Policy Responses
Lynn A. Karoly, Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_
Aug 23, 2016
The RAND Blog
Three trends have important implications for the future of work: a shifting demography toward older workers, more women, and more diversity; continuing technological change that will increase the demand for skilled workers; and increased globalization.
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Military Personnel
essay
Transgender Troops: Fit to Serve
Aug 18, 2016
The Pentagon's decision to open the ranks to transgender service members was informed by months of RAND research into the costs and numbers involved.
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Special Operations Forces
commentary
Women in Special Security Forces: What the U.S. Can Learn from the Afghans
Whitney Dudley, Robert Stewart
Mar 28, 2016
Military Times
The contributions of the women in Afghanistan's special security forces demonstrate the unique value that women can bring to special operations forces in socially conservative societies. They are successful in tactical roles and in operations requiring interaction with the community.
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announcement
RAND Studies Help Inform Pentagon Decision to Open Combat Roles to Women
Feb 5, 2016
RAND researchers addressed topics such as whether members of U.S. special forces are ready to integrate women into their ranks and what lessons may be learned from other militaries that already have integrated women into combat positions.
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Workforce Diversity
blog
Scientific Workforce Diversity: A Conversation with Raynard Kington
Apr 28, 2015
Grinnell College president and RAND alumnus Raynard Kington discusses the need for (and reality of) diversity in the biomedical scientific workforce.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
UK and Europe Are Behind the Times for Single Mothers and Their Children
Chloe E. Bird @ChloeBirdPhD, Kai Ruggeri
Mar 11, 2015
The RAND Blog
Single parents head 10.4 percent of households with children across Europe — 20.4 percent in the UK — and the socioeconomic gap between single- and two-parent households continues to grow. Accessible and flexible work policies are needed to improve employment conditions for single parents, especially mothers.
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Police-Community Relations
commentary
Progress After Ferguson? Good Ideas Need Good Implementation
Nelson Lim, Greg Ridgeway
Mar 9, 2015
The RAND Blog
President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing has done a great service by providing dozens of sound recommendations—good ideas that could help avoid another Ferguson. Now we need good implementation to go along with them.
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Police-Community Relations
commentary
Can Big Data Help Build Trust in the Police?
Nelson Lim
Dec 11, 2014
Newsweek
After two controversial grand jury decisions not to indict police in the deaths of unarmed African Americans, a White House task force has 90 days to provide recommendations for promoting accountability among law enforcement agencies to cultivate trust between police and communities. The timeline may seem impossible, but, sadly, these issues are old and the solutions are well known.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Seven Chances to Meet Europe's Employment Targets
Melinda Mills, Stijn Hoorens @StijnHoorens
Oct 30, 2014
European Voice online
The EU will fail to meet the Europe 2020 Strategy target of having 75 percent of people between the ages of 20 and 64 in work unless enough women are encouraged to enter, or remain in, the workforce. Here are seven factors the new EU Commissioners responsible for gender equality and employment must address.
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Workforce Diversity
commentary
The Realities of Silicon Valley's Lack of Workforce Diversity
Lawrence M. Hanser, Nelson Lim
Oct 2, 2014
San Francisco Chronicle
Major Silicon Valley tech firms have released statistics indicating their workforces are largely made up of white men. Corporate America is on the receiving end of a complex chain of social and educational factors that continue to leave minorities behind in terms of college graduation, and both minorities and women behind in terms of STEM degrees.
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Gender Equity in the Workplace
commentary
Reflecting on Gender Equality in Europe
Barbara Janta
Mar 7, 2014
The RAND Blog
With the United Nations 2014 International Women's Day theme being “Equality for Women is Progress for All,” it is a time to reflect on progress made, raise awareness of the struggles that women and men still face, and consider how best these challenges could be addressed.
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Military Career Field Management
blog
Pentagon Announces Plans to Integrate Women in Combat
Jun 18, 2013
Senior Pentagon officials announced today that by 2016, women will be allowed to join front-line combat roles, including infantry, armor, and special operations. RAND has conducted research on the evolving roles of women in the military and has several experts available to discuss the DoD's policies.
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Veterans Employment
blog
Tax Credits Can Boost Employment Among Vets with Disabilities
Apr 16, 2012
RAND researchers undertook a study designed to measure the impact of the 2007 WOTC tax credit expansion on the employment and earnings of disabled veterans. They found that the new tax credits expanded employment significantly among the target group of disabled veterans.
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