thin some legal parameters. Diversity programs are often implemented without consideration as to whether they are an ethical decision, or whether the company could achieve the same goals without a formal diversity program. By examining the underlying reasons for diversity programs--and "diversity programs" here is understood to mean the training of managers and supervisors to pursue culturally diverse hiring and retention practices--companies can better understand the role that those programs fill in their organizations.
Initially, it can be difficult to imagine how training programs designed to help companies facilitate a diverse workforce could have legal ramifications. Companies are not required by law to provide diversity training, although companies are legally forbidden to make hiring or retention decisions based on gender, religion, national origin and a host of other categories. Still, there are legal considerations that need to be taken into account when a diversity program is implemented at an
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