You are on the leadership team at a multi$-$site manufacturing facility operating in eastern Nebraska.

Nan, the Vice President of Operations, walked into your office with an angry scowl. "I've had it$!"$ She raises her head to her forehead. "I have had it up to here with these frivolous claims of discrimination here."

"Are you sure they're frivolous?"

She looked at you with angry incredulity. "What are you saying? We don't tolerate bigots and misogynists here.$$

You realize you made a potentially large slip with that comment. Quickly, you work out how to recover the conversation. $"$Of course not, Nan. And I apologize if I implied otherwise. But I know that sometimes the data can tell a different story. All I am saying is that it is possible that patterns can emerge from data that tell a story that we may not even be aware of$.$ We should never discount a claim of adverse impact out of hand. That might be a recipe for a costly lawsuit. Why don't you tell me a bit more about the issue?"

After a deep sigh, she nods and begins to tell you her problem. In the past two weeks, the company has received three complaints of pay discrimination against women and minorities, particularly as it pertains to employee selection.