Workforce diversitydefined as similarities and differences among employes in. Culture is considered to be the underlying values that direct how people behave. Study the views of various companies regarding the choice and implementation of workplace diversity. Recognize the role of stereotypes, assumptions, and other barriers to diversity, and the effect that they can have in the workplace and in our personal lives. We can learn from one another, but first we must have a level of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation. Shenita brokenburr and jamie odonnell human resources, workforce diversity and uw service center uw system administration todays objectives at the end of this session, participants will be more familiar with.
People are different in not only gender, culture, race, social and psychological characteristics but also in their perspectives. Managing diversity in organizations is one of the defining issues of our time. Connection promote the value that diversity brings to the workplace build a diverse workforce for the future to drive greater productivity. In recent years, some advocates have even argued for. The history of diversity in the workplace is by definition the story of how the concept of inclusion finally worked its way into our national narrative. Achieving an inclusive workplace that drives performance, innovation and productivity requires inclusive leadership. Explore the required tools for managing workplace diversity. Put very simply, diversity in the workplace means that a company hires a wide range of diverse individuals. This paper critically analyses the workforce diversity and its impact on.
Relationship between diversity and an inclusive work place the intent of looking at the diversity in your workplace and customer ranks is to create impact a more. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in. The model includes both the content of the issues that should be addressed in a healthy workplace, grouped into four large avenues of. Workplace diversity wpd is a holistic concept that denotes the differences that exist between people working within an organisation. Managing the relationships of a diverse workforce and ensuring that its members communicate and get along with one another is also essential. Workplace diversity should be one of the top things businesses today should address. When employees feel accepted and valued, they are also happier in their workplace and stay longer with a company. The commissions commitment to workplace diversity is stated in clause 65 of the enterprise agreement 20122014. Firstly, i cannot remember when last i was in the clinical setting. Cultural diversity includes but is not restricted to.
Workplace inclusion and diversity strategy 201923 11 our themes and goals our approach to inclusion and diversity is underpinned by our four key themes. Workplace diversity definition diversity management. Canas and sondak 2010 offered the dimension of diversity as primary and secondary. Diversity in the workplace edis university of florida. Theory that in a global marketplace, a company that employs a diverse workforce is better able to understand the demographics of the marketplace it serves. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace cause all employees to feel accepted and valued. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 2 advantages. Workplace diversity diverse workplaces are composed of employees with varying characteristics including, but not limited to, religious and political beliefs, gender, race, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, and geographic location.
Diversity is the inclusion of things, people, and places that are different. People differ in race, religion, heritage, sexual orientation and more. Examine ourselves as we relate to all forms of diversity. This means making sure each employee is treated equally and. However, as simple as it may sound, workplace diversity entails more than combining a variety of differences between people working together in one place. Introduction workplace diversity is the issue of people, focus on the differences and similarities that people bring to an organization. Jayne and dipboye 2004 content diversity has evolved from a focus on legally protected attributes such as race, gender, and age to a much broader definition that includes the entire spectrum of human differences p. Also diversity can be the different opinions of individuals. Diversity in the workforce journal of education and human. Many diversity plans give the word a comprehensive meaning, such as.
The term valuing diversity is often used to reflect ways in which organizations show appreciation for diversity among job applicants, employees, and customers. Diversity and inclusion best practice in recruitment. Diversity is defined here in a broad sense as human groupings based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, learning styles, nationality and. This guide is designed to be a flexible tool that can be adapted to the needs of any enterprise or group of enterprises, regardless of size and scope, including small and mediumsized. Most people understand the general equality and diversity definition.
Diversity in the workplace refers to an organization that intentionally employs a workforce comprised of individuals of varying gender, religion, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, and other attributes. In north america, the word diversity is strongly associated with racial diversity. But diversity and inclusion in the workplace isnt just a hiring fad. Workplace diversity and inclusion strategy 201619 9 the true benefits of a diverse workforce can only be realised when the workplace is inclusive and supports everyone to achieve their best. Workforce diversity means similarities and differences among employees in terms of age, cultural background, physical abilities and disabilities, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. Impact of workplace diversity society of interdisciplinary business. Cultural diversity in the workplace is a result of practices, values, traditions, or beliefs of employees based on race, age, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
Pdf managing workplace diversity issues and challenges. The oxford dictionary defines cultural diversity as the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society. More than ever, employers are prioritizing diversity and inclusion initiatives and investing resources into making sure their teams are set up for success. The study will be useful for the companies under discussion nevertheless it shall also be helpful for people who want to know more about workplace diversity, and how to manage it. However, not all organizations approach the topic of equality in the same way. Hiring a diverse staff for your business creates a workforce that possesses a wide range of skills, talents and ideas. The study concludes that successfully managing diversity can lead to more committed, better satisfied, better performing employees and potentially better. Understand the value of diversity and how it relates to the workplace. Organizational diversity in the workplace refers to the total makeup of the employee workforce and the amount of diversity included. In todays workplace, there are many rules and regulations to ensure the wellbeing of the employee.
Workplace diversity and mental health diversity resources. The current study examines the potential barriers to workplace diversity and suggests strategies to enhance workplace diversity and inclusiveness. More importantly, it estimates that from 1998 to 2008 some 41 percent of the people entering the u. We also differ in gender, language, manners and culture, social roles, sexual orientation, education, skills, income, and countless other domains. Workforce diversity means similarities and differences among employees in terms. I accepted this task on the assumption that the clinical setting in south africa at least, presents similar yet particular challenges to diversity management as any other workplace. Business advantages of diversity in the workplace the united states office of employment predicts that 29 percent of the u. When you have equality in the workforce, it creates a domino effect of change across the socioeconomic system. Challenges exist in guiding a population that differs in personalities and cultures, but. The impact of workplace diversity on organisations core. Definitions of diversity jmc programs have created a smorgasbord of definitions for diversity. No one thing or person is the same and is made up of different cultures and backgrounds. Most institutions try to promote the creation of a diverse, creative workforce, but.
When developing the workplace diversity policy, the commission drew on the relevant conditions specified within the enterprise agreement, as well. An introduction to workplace diversity organizational. Mental health as diversity the definition of diversity is. What is the definition of diversity in the workplace. If organizations strive to improve their competitive advantage in the market, then they must learn how to successfully manage a diverse workforce. Businesses should prioritize hiring diverse employees because of the many great things associated with it. Emotions in the workplace play a large role in how an entire organization communicates within itself. Top 10 benefits of diversity in the workplace infographic. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 3 where every member must listen and have the chance to speak, are good ways to create dialogues. However, that is just one dimension of the human reality. Diversity training understanding how our differences may effect or influence our relationships at work peers, subordinate, boss, and customers intentionally or unintentionally.
Focusing on diversity and inclusion is not only the smart thing to do for your business, but also the right thing to do for humanity. It might feel as if womens presence in the workplace is a given, but globally, despite making up 50% of the population, women generate just 37% of gdp. While compensation is certainly one component of an equitable workplace, the focus on pay and other similar metrics reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of equitys true definition. Pdf workplace diversity wpd is a holistic concept that denotes the. For our purposes, we use the following definition of diversity. Managing diversity is a key component of effective people management in the workplace black enterprise 2001. The concept of diversity management is a strategic business objective that seeks to increase organizational capacity in a workplace where the contributions of all employees are recognized and valued.
Diversity in the workplace benefits and challenges. So why is diversity important in the workplace and how are organizations missing out if they dont get the gender balance right. We are live in an increasingly multicultural society. While many groups share our vision for a colorado that is inclusive of all people, others seem to have a. Diversity refers to differences in various defining personal traits such as age, gender, race, marital status, ethnic origin, religion, education and many other secondary qualities. Diversity in the workplace is a reality in most businesses and organizations. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in modern. Definition of conflict how you and others handle conflict. Workplace diversity is taking the hr world by storm. It is your job to make the most of the diversity present in your company. According to josh greenberg, workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Stephen butler, cochair of the businesshigher education forum, believes diversity is an invaluable competitive asset robinson 2002.
Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits does have its flaws. Diversity management is a process intended by workplace leaders to create and maintain a positive working environment where the similarities and differences of employees are valued patrick. In a workplace, diversity management requires an environment of inclusion. Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. Pdf workplace diversity wpd is a holistic concept that denotes the differences that exist between people working within an organisation. For example, having different races, genders, ages, and ethnicities of people in one place is showing great diversity. Diversity in the workplace leads to a plethora of benefits both from an internal and external perspective.
Strategies for managing workplace conflict presenters. Workplace diversity is a common topic of conversation among employers, hiring managers and recruitment professionals. As a result, companies with greater diversity in the workplace have lower turnover rates. Pdf workforce diversity means similarities and differences among employees in terms. It describes the complex physical, sociological or. Productivity in economic position is defined as the relation between output.