Chapter 5 - Case study: Managing diversity for
competitive advantage at Deloitte & Touche.
Textbook, page 119
Answers to case study questions in textbook, page 119
1. How did the problems at Deloitte & Touche occur in the first place?
Answer:
The task force uncovered the following:
a work environment that limited opportunity for advancement
exclusion from mentoring and networking
work and family issues
2. Did their changes fix the underlying problems? Explain.
Answer:
Yes, they renewed their commitment to flexible work arrangements,
reduced workload and flexitime. They also developed plans for company
sponsored networking and formal career planning for women. The firm’s
5000 partners and managers also attended a two-day workshop. The
results have been good e.g. the retention of women at all levels has risen
and for the first time in the history of the firm the turnover rate of senior
managers has been lower for women than for men.
3. What other advice would you give their managers?
Answer:
They must constantly have people audits to see which aspects of the work
environment is problematic for their staff. They should also update their
flexibility policy to adapt to the changing environment and to
accommodate the changing needs.
competitive advantage at Deloitte & Touche.
Textbook, page 119
Answers to case study questions in textbook, page 119
1. How did the problems at Deloitte & Touche occur in the first place?
Answer:
The task force uncovered the following:
a work environment that limited opportunity for advancement
exclusion from mentoring and networking
work and family issues
2. Did their changes fix the underlying problems? Explain.
Answer:
Yes, they renewed their commitment to flexible work arrangements,
reduced workload and flexitime. They also developed plans for company
sponsored networking and formal career planning for women. The firm’s
5000 partners and managers also attended a two-day workshop. The
results have been good e.g. the retention of women at all levels has risen
and for the first time in the history of the firm the turnover rate of senior
managers has been lower for women than for men.
3. What other advice would you give their managers?
Answer:
They must constantly have people audits to see which aspects of the work
environment is problematic for their staff. They should also update their
flexibility policy to adapt to the changing environment and to
accommodate the changing needs.
