ACCOUNTING 309

As the U.S. population has become increasingly diverse, so has the U.S. workplace. The federal government's Workforce 2000 study and the Census Bureau assure us that these population changes will continue for many years. To succeed in our multicultural society, your organization must value the differences of our diverse population, respect the individuality of all employees and customers, and maintain a climate in which everyone is treated with dignity. To do this, you need to understand the current demographics of America and its businesses and anticipate tomorrow's population. You also need to understand how your words and actions in today's diverse workplace and marketplace affect your bottom line, and you need to maintain and exhibit a positive outlook on diversity. There are many issues that can create misunderstandings, including racial, cultural, sexual, physical, mental, and verbal issues. To be totally effective and avoid unintentional offense, you need to understand the effects of perception, cultural background, discrimination, and prejudice.