University of Kansas
PAE-T2-2: Employee Training Opportunities

Training offered by the Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Department includes "Diversity In The Workplace", which helps faculty and staff understand the diversity of the world we live and work in and learn how we can recognize and appreciate different ideas, experiences and skills of others to have a positive impact on work place success. A collaboration between the Office of Diversity and Equity, faculty from the School of Business and the Department of Theatre, and staff from HR/EO Learning & Development resulted in "Difficult Discussions", is a spin-off of a national model (Difficult Dialogues) that addresses the increasing polarization of our society and the need to deal more effectively with breakdowns in civil discourse; specifically in higher education. The overall goal is to create safer places for the free exchange of ideas, and to become more inclusive of voices and ways of knowing that have been absent, unpopular, excluded, or oppressed. Participants learn and practice effective listening and communication strategies and participate in an Interactive Theatre experience. HR/EO includes aspects of cultural competence training in other offerings, and additional opportunities are available through the Office of Multicultural Affairs.