Labor experts attribute these gaps to lower education levels in some cases and discrimination. In a 1999 report by the New York organization, Catalyst, researchers reported that 47 percent of the 1,700 African-American, Latino, and Asian professional women surveyed felt their progress had been stalled by lack of an influential mentor or sponsor. We found that although women of color make up 26.2 percent of the women in the workplace, they hold only 14.3 percent of the managerial positions and are barely represented on corporate boards. But when you look at women of color, only 1.3 percent serve as corporate officers. This lack of role models sends a powerful message, and the lack of mentoring makes it very difficult for them to advance.
Some companies understand that.
And in a tight labor market, that's a smart move that can lead to higher retention rates, increased diversity, and a more productive work force. Diane E. Lewis is a member of the Globe's staff.