ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the legal and political aspects of managing such differences in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. It explains the history of immigration and the development of labour in the US together with the legislation dealing with diversity. The chapter shows what the private sector used to boost profit and avoid discrimination legal action. It discusses the factors leading to the shift from the 'rights of blacks' to 'everyone's rights'. The chapter explores the view of procedural changes that occurred in the US in order to minimise the number of sanctions against affirmative action violations by employers. It also explains how diversity management emerged in Canada after the introduction of legislative requirements to protect individuals from discrimination and promote equity in the workplace. The chapter considers the introduction of various legislative measures regarding racial discrimination and human rights, and the recognition of employees' contributions to organisations in terms of skills brought to the Australian workplace.
