Equal opportunity and diversity are essential to the Laboratory's ability to compete in a global environment. We must compete for funds and support; we must compete for our science and resources; and we must compete to attract the best candidates and to retain the best individuals to work on or support our science.
As Laboratory scientist Dr. Norman L. Johnson has demonstrated in his research, diversity is key to innovation. A group of heterogeneous individuals will provide a better, more innovative result than a homogeneous one. However, though working with a diverse group of employees provides a better outcome, it is more difficult than working with a group of like-minded individuals.
This research shows why developing a diverse workforce and fostering mutual respect is so important. This responsibility does not reside in a single office. Rather, each of us is responsible for modeling behavior that supports diversity, mutual respect, and equal opportunity in our daily operations. And the OEOD is here to help.
