ANSWERS: 1
  • Workplace diversity can be broadly defined as the attempt to respect and incorporate the unique backgrounds, talents, perspectives, identities and ideas each employee brings to a company. The definition becomes more complicated, however, as diverse groups expand to include race, ethnicity, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation and gender. A completely diverse workplace understands the scale of possibilities within each diverse group, and the best way to work around all strengths and weaknesses each group brings to the table.

    Misconceptions

    Workplace diversity is not a static term. It must be a template from which to create fair treatment for the existing diverse groups of people and those in the future.

    Variations

    You may have individuals from an older generation working with much younger people, where the age difference results in miscommunication. You may have atheists working with people with very strong religious or spiritual backgrounds. Women have historically faced inequality in treatment and pay when compared to men in the workplace, but you must also account for transgendered or genderqueer (those with identities other than male or female) individuals who do not fit on either side of the gender binary. Whether or not you have had prior access to the diverse groups of people who apply to your company or work alongside of you, you will have to be prepared to handle these differences in a way that will benefit everyone involved.

    Benefits

    The benefits of organizing workplace diversity include an increase in productivity, work alliances that both challenge and satisfy those involved, effective and open communication and conflict resolution, and an overall more inclusive work environment. You are likely to reduce high turnover rates and dispel myths that eliminate the possibility for collaborative work between diverse groups.

    Structure

    Workplace diversity can occur top down, with a chief executive or high-level manager organizing information sessions for the company's employees, or it can be a grassroots effort, where a group of people with diverse backgrounds and lifestyles come together to create a "diversity council" that will work to educate the company as a whole.

    Communication

    A successful diversity council will have to recruit people who are very different from each other, but open to working together. The people will have to meet regularly to discuss goals, the messages to send to the company and how how it will be done. Perhaps each month can be designated to a specific diverse group, honored with an interesting presentation, such as a short film that documents the history of that group.

    All-inclusive

    The definition of workplace diversity is simple--the act of organizing respect and understanding for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or background in the workplace. However, when applying this definition to your own efforts to create workplace diversity, you must remember that the term is fluid. It is most effective when applied to each situation with fresh eyes and an open mind.

    Source:

    "Work Force 2020;" Richard W. Judy et. al.; 1999

    "Diversity at Work"

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