All of these changes are causing an increased diversity in the U.S. workforce except
a) fewer younger workers enter the workforce.
b) more baby boomers take early retirement.
c) Federal legislation prohibits employee discrimination.
d) passage of the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act.
e) globalization lowers barriers to immigrants.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is b) more baby boomers take early retirement.
Explanation:
The question is asking which of the listed changes is not contributing to increased diversity in the U.S. workforce. Let’s go through each option:
- a) Fewer younger workers enter the workforce:
This option suggests that fewer younger people are entering the workforce, which could contribute to diversity in a different way. For example, fewer younger workers may lead to more older workers, such as baby boomers, staying in the workforce longer. However, younger workers, including those from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, often contribute significantly to the diversity of the workforce. Therefore, fewer younger workers could reduce diversity, but it is still related to changes in workforce demographics. - b) More baby boomers take early retirement:
This is the correct answer because baby boomers retiring earlier would decrease the diversity in the workforce, not increase it. When baby boomers retire early, it can create a vacuum that may or may not be filled by a diverse range of workers. However, it would not necessarily result in an increase in diversity—it might even reduce diversity if new entrants to the workforce are not as diverse as the retiring workers. Thus, early retirement does not inherently increase diversity. - c) Federal legislation prohibits employee discrimination:
This change has been a significant contributor to diversity in the workforce. Anti-discrimination laws, like the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal regulations, have created an environment where more diverse groups (racial, ethnic, gender, and disability-based groups) have better opportunities for employment. These laws actively promote workforce diversity. - d) Passage of the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act:
This act allows senior citizens to work without losing Social Security benefits, which encourages older workers to remain in the workforce. This policy can increase diversity in the workforce by enabling people of different ages, including older workers, to continue contributing to the economy. - e) Globalization lowers barriers to immigrants:
Globalization has facilitated the movement of people across borders, encouraging immigration. This contributes to workforce diversity by introducing workers from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. Immigration plays a key role in diversifying the U.S. workforce.
In conclusion, while other options either encourage or are related to increasing diversity, early retirement of baby boomers (option b) does not directly contribute to increasing diversity in the workforce and could, in fact, reduce it.