Sue Guenter-Schlesinger
Dr. Sue Guenter-Schlesinger, executive director of Western’s equal opportunity office, has 25 years’ experience working with issues related to diversity and legal compliance. Before coming to Western, she was assistant executive vice president for affirmative action and diversity at Utah State University. She also served for 10 years as a chief advisor for the U.S. Army Equal Opportunity Office in Europe and was appointed to the Defense Advisory Council for Women in the Services. She has developed training programs on diversity, affirmative action, sexual harassment and mediation. Guenter-Schlesinger earned her undergraduate degrees and her Ph.D. in higher education administration at the University of California, Los Angeles.Gender Issues in the Workplace
Legislation related to affirmative action, sexual harassment and gender issues in the workplace attempts to define what relationships and interactions are, and are not, acceptable in the workplace. As a practical matter, defining those limits is much more challenging. Socialization, sex-role stereotyping and how men and women communicate have varying effects on those limits. What is acceptable in one situation or one workplace may not be acceptable in another. Sue Guenter-Schlesinger discusses how to find an appropriate balance, take effective steps that address equity issues, and work toward inclusive consensus building.Preventing Sexual Harassment
How do you protect your workers and your company and keep all parties out of court? Sue Guenter-Schlesinger shows how developing clear guidelines and providing ongoing training to managers and employees can keep your company in compliance and send a message that affirms a commitment to respect each individual. Guenter-Schlesinger also talks about the importance of initiating an objective, thorough investigation if a complaint is filed, formally or informally, and how mediation can be used to resolve concerns.Using Affirmative Action and Civil Rights Legislation to Improve Workplace Performance
Too often equal opportunity and affirmative action laws are viewed as policing documents that restrict employers and reduce employee morale. Sue Guenter-Schlesinger reviews current legislation and shows how equal opportunity laws can benefit you. By working collaboratively with staff to establish compliant policies, you can improve performance by encouraging active participation at all levels, establish team-based models for working through differences, and create guidelines that protect individuals as well as your company or organization.Valuing and Managing Diversity
Appreciation for differences and clear communication are critical for employees in every work situation, especially for those in leadership roles. A first step in creating an environment in which everyone feels valued is to understand how to recognize and overcome biases we all have and to learn techniques to reach out to others different from ourselves. Clear and sensitive communication, which includes good listening skills, is also important in order to show others their opinions and approaches are valued. Sue Guenter-Schlesinger draws on her experience in designing and leading diversity workshops that utilize interactive discussions and group exercises to show how to break down barriers and promote an accepting environment.
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