DEARBORN, December 8, 1999 (FCN) -- Economics is the driving force behind including everyone in the workplace, no matter what their sexual orientation, nationally known diversity consultant Liz Winfeld said recently to Ford employees. 

"Diversity issues have to be tied to a business case," said Winfeld, co-author of "Straight talk about gays in the workplace: Creating an inclusive, productive environment for everyone in your organization." 

The presentation was brought to World Headquarters by the Gay and Lesbian or Bisexual Employees resource group. Winfeld and Susan Spielman founded and head Common Ground, a consulting firm that provides workplace training incorporating sexual orientation issues into diversity education initiatives. 

Winfeld stressed to a group of Ford employees that it is everyone's job to create a harassment-free, safe working environment for all employees, regardless of where they work or what they do. 

"There is only one way an organization does this," Winfeld said. "That way is through an educational initiative." 

She said that 10 percent of Ford GLOBE membership comes from the plants, yet 90 percent of incidences of harassment based on sexual orientation reported to Ford GLOBE happen in the plants. This makes a strong case for boosting plant membership and providing more education for everyone. 

Winfeld posed the question: How does Ford position itself to take advantage of what is being called the last great demographic in America – the loyal and attention-starved gay market? 

Market research indicates companies that are inclusive on sexual orientation will sell more goods to the gay and lesbian market, she said. 

Progress on inclusion in the workplace is being made. Winfeld said public opinion polls indicate the United States is moving toward a more tolerant, non-discriminatory, more inclusive society. 

A 1995 Gallup Poll found 95 percent of Americans believe gay and lesbian people should have equitable policies in the workplace, including nondiscrimination policies and domestic partner benefits. 

Ford was tagged one of the 25 best companies to work for if you are not straight by The Advocate, a national news magazine targeted to the gay-lesbian market. Yet it still does not have domestic partner benefits, while the other companies named do, she pointed out. 

Ford was named to this list because of its efforts and progress on diversity issues. 

She acknowledged that people are entitled to their political and religious beliefs, and they may all disagree. 

"Yet in the workplace, it is behavior, not beliefs, that must be the focus . . . what you are not entitled to do is allow your beliefs to result in the discrimination of another person in terms of the workplace. It applies to everyone," she said. 

Changing behavior doesn't happen after one class. It is an ongoing process designed according to what is needed in the company. 

If the problem is in the plant, the plant is the first place that should be educated, Winfeld added.