Book excerpt: Diversity at Work: The Business Case for Equity explains why you should strive for a more diverse and equitable workforce: not because you have to comply with legislation and not to feel warm and fuzzy inside, but because it makes good business sense. Diversity at Work: The Business Case for Equity is a hands-on, practical guide to the why and how-to of striving for diversity and equity in the workplace: Creating a fair employment system for all employees Accommodating and valuing difference Hiring and retaining the best-qualified person for the job Basing all recruiting, hiring, and promotion decisions entirely on merit and equal opportunity Overcoming backlash associated with controversial affirmative action and employment equity legislation Successfully implementing a sound and effective diversity strategy in your organization Achieving improved bottom-line results