Why The Boss May Treat You Right

While some recent humanresources initiatives such as "work/life balance" or "wellness" may resonate more with, say, single moms or diabetics, eradicating these subtle slights has an almost universal appeal. Few bosses want to create tension between employees with something as simple as a handshake. But, Young says, when one worker is greeted with a polite how-do-you-do while the guy next door gets a playful pretend-punch, it's clear in an instant who is in the inner circle and who isn't. The same is true when a manager dismisses one person's idea and then embraces it when paraphrased by someone else.

It used to be that these tone-deaf moments were used to buttress discrimination claims. Now they are becoming the basis for those claims, according to Marko Mrkonich, managing director of Littler Mendelson, a San Francisco--based law firm that defends management in disputes with employees. "People are saying, 'I just feel really unwelcome,'" he says.

Of course, even enlightened head honchos know that being mindful of every little thing they do and say won't be easy, but then again, neither is competing in a tight labor market. Says Robert MacGregor, management-development chief at IBM, which recently partnered with Young to start training its 330,000 workers around the globe: "We want to create an environment that's open and inviting to all employees." And it's not just the words he's using but the earnest tone in his voice that show he means it.