Gurnee's diversity program gets mixed reaction

Gurnee employees have a mixed reaction to mandatory diversity training, which will move into a second phase this year.

In a survey, one village employee contended the diversity effort is just "political." But another worker was upbeat and noted the potential benefits of the initiative.

Christine Palmieri, the village's human resources director, recently provided a synopsis of the first leg of diversity training to elected officials.

Tentative plans call for village board members and appointed officials to soon go through initial diversity sessions.

Gurnee's work force attended the first phase of diversity training in November and December. Palmieri said supervisors and managers reported they understood there are benefits in boosting awareness of diversity issues compared to those who aren't in leadership positions.

Palmieri said a majority of non-supervisory workers didn't believe the training increased their diversity awareness. Some employees provided their opinions about the effort in the survey she provided to the Gurnee village board.

"This is all political," one village worker wrote about the diversity classes.

"Waste of time," stated another employee.

One employee, however, wrote the diversity effort could lead to increased productivity and staff retention.

Diversity concerns first arose among some village board members at a meeting in September 2004. The lack of minorities on the 200-plus municipal work force returned as an issue in May 2005.

Since then, Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik has pushed for minority hiring.

As of last month, there was one black and 13 Hispanics among Gurnee' 211 full-time employees. In 2006, the village had no black full-time workers and two Hispanics.

Kovarik said the diversity training won't be a one-shot deal. She asked Palmieri at a recent meeting what the employee survey results would mean for the future.

"The second phase will have more of a focus, 'What can diversity do for me?'æ" Palmieri said.

Palmieri said administrators will try to remove any negative impressions that might be associated with the diversity classes.