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Workforce Diversity

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An increasing number of organizations—from private corporations to the U.S. military—want their workforces to reflect the evolving racial, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, ideological, and generational makeup of society. RAND conducts empirical research on managing diversity to help leaders clearly define the diversity, develop rigorous metrics to support that definition, and design and apply comprehensive accountability systems with real rewards and consequences for individuals and groups.

Commentary

The Realities of Silicon Valley's Lack of Workforce Diversity

Oct 2, 2014

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.
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.

Explore Workforce Diversity

Commentary

Cybersecurity Badge: One Big Step for Girl Scouts, Potentially Giant Leap for Women

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.

Aug 3, 2017
Commentary

Why Europe's Work-Life Balance Proposal Could Be in Limbo for Years

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.

May 30, 2017
Commentary

On 'Hidden Figures' and Being the Only Woman in the Room

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.

Mar 12, 2017
Content

David Wang: A Commitment to Diversity

David Wang's commitment to giving minorities and other underrepresented groups a foothold on opportunity drives his support of Pardee RAND. His gift of $500,000 has allowed the school to provide diversity scholarships and expand its diversity initiatives.

Jan 16, 2017
Commentary

To Increase Diversity in Tech, We Need to Rethink What 'Tech' Is

The tech sector is a driving force for high-skill, high-wage job creation in the United States, but too few women and minorities reap the gains. 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.

Nov 17, 2016
Commentary

Is It Time to Extend Maternity Leave Across Europe?

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.

Sep 13, 2016
Commentary

Evolving 21st-Century Workplace and the American Workforce: Trends and Policy Responses

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.

Aug 23, 2016
Essay

Transgender Troops: Fit to Serve

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.

Aug 18, 2016
Report

Report

Can We Explain Gender Differences in Officer Career Progression?

The report provides a quantitative analysis of the differences in the career progression of officers based on gender, as well as the factors that explain these differences.

Aug 17, 2016
Report

Report

Diversity Leadership in the U.S. Department of Defense: Analysis of the Key Roles, Responsibilities, and Attributes of Diversity Leaders

This study identifies the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other personal characteristics needed in individuals who will be responsible for implementing strategic diversity plans in the U.S. Department of Defense.

Jul 28, 2016
News Release

News Release

Impact of Transgender Personnel on Readiness and Health Care Costs in the U.S. Military Likely to Be Small

The U.S. Department of Defense has been reviewing its policy that bans transgender personnel from serving openly. If transgender people were allowed to serve openly, the number would likely be a small fraction of the total force and have minimal impact on readiness and health care costs.

Jun 30, 2016
Research Brief

The Implications of Allowing Transgender Personnel to Serve Openly

As the U.S. Department of Defense reviews potential changes to its policy on transgender service members, it will need to consider this population's unique health care needs, the potential costs associated with extending coverage for these needs, and the readiness implications of allowing transgender service members to serve openly.

Jun 30, 2016
Report

How Might Allowing Transgender Personnel to Serve Openly Affect the U.S. Military?

The Department of Defense recently announced that it will allow transgender personnel to serve openly. The number of transgender members will likely be a small fraction of the total force and have minimal impact on readiness and health care costs.

Jun 30, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Teacher Workforce Developments: Recent Changes in Academic Competiveness and Job Satisfaction of New Teachers

Policy makers and school leaders are perennially concerned with the capacity of the nation's public schools to recruit and retain highly skilled teachers.

Jun 6, 2016
Report

Complete Results from Major Survey of U.S. Military Sexual Assault, Harassment Released

In addition to validating the initial findings from the RAND Military Workplace Study published in December 2014, the final results reveal unprecedented detail about the frequency of criminal sexual assault against service members, the nature and context of those assaults, and how they differ for men and women in each branch of service.

Apr 15, 2016
Research Brief

Research Brief

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Military: Evaluating Estimates from the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study

This research brief describes the methodological review of sources of potential bias in the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study, an independent assessment of the rates of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the U.S. military.

Apr 7, 2016
Commentary

Women in Special Security Forces: What the U.S. Can Learn from the Afghans

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.

Mar 28, 2016
Report

Report

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Military: Volume 4. Investigations of Potential Bias in Estimates from the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study

This volume presents the results of methodological investigations into sources of potential bias in the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study, an independent assessment of the rates of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the U.S. military.

Mar 16, 2016
Content

Women to Watch at RAND

Women have been at the core of RAND's success since its earliest days. RAND Women to Watch highlights the diversity of talent and experience among women at RAND, in both research and leadership.

Mar 8, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Workforce Diversity

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