Implementing diversity in the workplace is a huge commitment, and theres no handbook you can just borrow from another organization. Diversity and inclusion definitions ferris state university. Managing diversity is defined as planning and implementing organizational systems and practices to manage people so that the potential advantages of diversity are maximized while its potential disadvantages. Business advantages of diversity in the workplace the united states office of employment predicts that 29 percent of the u. Jun 05, 2014 diversity in the workplace is a reality in most businesses and organizations. 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. Culture is considered to be the underlying values that direct how people behave. Governmentwide diversity and inclusion strategic plan 2011. Workplace policies designed to promote understanding of diversity at work have often focused on the prevention of discrimination against certain categories of difference in recruitment or career progression. These different elements include employees beliefs, values, and actions that vary by gender, ethnicity, age, lifestyle and physical abilities. Managing that diversity is an idea whose time has come.
Workplace also called workforce diversity can be characterized as an organization, in which employees possess distinct elements and qualities, differing from one another. Survey results that organisations are slowly awakening to the positive benefits available through a diverse workforce. Employers of all kinds are awakening to the fact that a diverse workforce is not a burden, but a potential strength. Workforce diversity is a valuable asset for any business that seeks a competitive advantage in the global economy. The importance of diversity in the workplace there are clear signs in the latest leadership, employment and direction l. More importantly, it estimates that from 1998 to 2008 some 41 percent of the people entering the u. Diversity management in the workplace article pdf available in acta universitatis agriculturae et silviculturae mendelianae brunensis 643. Workplace diversity should be one of the top things businesses today should address.
Practicing mutual respect for qualities and experiences that are different from our own. Jan 25, 2020 how well the workplace embraces cultural diversity may spell a companys competitive edge and profitability. Diversity in the workplace has now become a reality for all employers. Stephen butler, cochair of the businesshigher education forum, believes diversity is an invaluable competitive asset robinson 2002. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in. 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. An introduction to workplace diversity organizational. To a horticulturalist, it means balancing perennials, annuals, shade and sun. It describes the complex physical, sociological or psychological attributes such as gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs that define an individual or group. Recent work has queried the meaning of diversity man agement for example. Managing the relationships of a diverse workforce and ensuring that its members communicate and get along with one another is also essential. Diversity meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. To a stockbroker, it means a balanced portfolio of stocks, bonds and other investments. Canas and sondak 2010 offered the dimension of diversity as primary and secondary.
Cultural diversity is when population differences are well represented within a community. Importance of cultural diversity in the workplace deputy. We are live in an increasingly multicultural society. Learn about the issues associated with workforce diversity and take a quiz to. Diversity definition is the condition of having or being composed of differing elements. If organizations strive to improve their competitive advantage in the market, then they must learn how to successfully manage a diverse workforce. It describes the complex physical, sociological or. Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. Many diversity plans give the word a comprehensive meaning, such as. 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. Definition of diversity the concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. For the greater good science center, diversity refers to both an obvious fact of human lifenamely, that there are many different kinds of peopleand the idea that this diversity drives cultural, economic, and social vitality and innovation. In recent years, some advocates have even argued for.
Companies that have a clear diversity and inclusion policy and are seen to enforce this policy benefit from happier and more productive employees and a great. According to josh greenberg, workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Impact of workplace diversity society of interdisciplinary business. Diversity is a set of conscious practices that involve. Diversity definition of diversity by merriamwebster. In north america, the word diversity is strongly associated with racial diversity. The importance of cultural diversity in the workplace cant be understated. Aug 21, 2019 workplace diversity is a common topic of conversation among employers, hiring managers and recruitment professionals. Pdf workplace diversity wpd is a holistic concept that denotes the. People are different in not only gender, culture, race, social and psychological characteristics but also in their perspectives. There are also other components of the definition that are sometimes overlooked, she reminded us, such as age and invisible disabilities. The model includes both the content of the issues that should be addressed in a healthy workplace, grouped into four large avenues of influence, and also the.
These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs. Introduction workplace diversity is the issue of people, focus on the differences and similarities that people bring to an organization. Examples of diversity definitions this issue paper aims to aid in the deliberations of the mldc. Definition, diversity and policies human resources today. However, that is just one dimension of the human reality. The group is diverse if a wide variety of groups are represented.
What is the definition of diversity in the workplace. In a workplace, diversity management requires an environment of inclusion. 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. First, it has to define diversity to address charter tasks and. 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. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. We also differ in gender, language, manners and culture, social roles, sexual orientation, education, skills, income, and countless other domains. Having diverse employees increases the bottom line and also assists in staying on the right side of the law. Essentially, managing di versity involves a departure from col lective views of groups of people to valuing individual differences and tal ent in the workplace. Research by mckinsey and company report that companies with workforces comprising a large percentage of diversity in gender, race, and ethnicity often outperform the national industry median by as much as 35%. Cultural diversity in the workplace is a result of practices, values, traditions, or beliefs of employees based on race, age, ethnicity, religion, or gender. Diversity is a generalized term that encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age. Workplace diversity wpd is a holistic concept that denotes the differences that exist between people working within an organisation. Examine ourselves as we relate to all forms of diversity.
The impact of workplace diversity on organisations core. The differences can be based on gender, age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and social status. Understand the value of diversity and how it relates to the workplace. Aligning diversity practices with unique organizational goals. For this to be effective, one has to overcome language and stereotype barriers. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in modern. It does not contain the recommendations of the mldc. In a nutshell, its about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and. Understanding and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures, and the natural environment. In current scenario, employing diversified workforce is a necessity for every organization but to manage such diversified workforce is also a big.
For example, having different races, genders, ages, and ethnicities of people in one place is showing great diversity. Workforce diversity means similarities and differences among employees in terms of age, cultural background, physical abilities and disabilities, race, religion. Diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. This may require the mental elimination of terms like alien and view the indi. The practice of addressing and supporting multiple lifestyles and personal characteristics within a defined group. Pdf diversity management in the workplace researchgate. In a nutshell, its about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and national origin. Study the views of various companies regarding the choice and implementation of workplace diversity. Diversity in the workplace edis university of florida. Ensure that all ses members, managers, supervisors and employees throughout. Also diversity can be the different opinions of individuals. Explore the required tools for managing workplace diversity. Management activities includes educating the group and providing support for the acceptance of and respect for various racial, cultural, societal, geographic, economic and political backgrounds. Workforce diversity means similarities and differences among employees in terms of age, cultural background, physical abilities and disabilities, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.
Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits does have its flaws. Workplace diversity definition diversity management. 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. These include race, ethnicity, age, ability, language, nationality, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. The oxford dictionary defines cultural diversity as the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society. Diversity can be defined as acknowledging, understanding, accepting, and valuing differences among people with respect to age, class, race, ethnicity, gender. The term valuing diversity is often used to reflect ways in which organizations show appreciation for diversity among job applicants, employees, and customers. Diversity means more than just acknowledging andor tolerating difference.
Managing diversity is a key component of effective people management in the workplace black enterprise 2001. The current study examines the potential barriers to workplace diversity and suggests strategies to enhance workplace diversity and inclusiveness. Workplace diversity definition diversity management the. Definition of conflict how you and others handle conflict. Diversity in the workforce journal of education and human. Diversity in the workplace benefits and challenges. 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. By jeanne martinson diversity is a word that is tossed around in many areas of work and social life, and has come to mean different things to different people. However, as simple as it may sound, workplace diversity entails more than combining a variety of differences between people working together in one place.
No one thing or person is the same and is made up of different cultures and backgrounds. Connection promote the value that diversity brings to the workplace build a diverse workforce for the future to drive greater productivity. The model includes both the content of the issues that should be addressed in a healthy workplace, grouped into four large avenues of. Diversity and inclusion definitions diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs. Most people understand the general equality and diversity definition. Diversity in the workplace is a reality in most businesses and organizations. There is a lot of talk in human resources circles about diversity and inclusion, but what does diversity and inclusion really mean in the workplace. How well the workplace embraces cultural diversity may spell a companys competitive edge and profitability. Put very simply, diversity in the workplace means that a company hires a wide range of diverse individuals.
Indeed, decades of research suggest that intolerance hurts our wellbeingand that individuals thrive when they are able to tolerate and. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and rec ognizing our individual differences. Develop an agencyspecific diversity and inclusion strategic plan, and implement that plan, through the collaboration and coordination of the chief human capital officer, the eeo director, and the director of diversity if any. The variety of experiences and perspective which arise from differences in race, culture, religion, mental or. But diversity and inclusion in the workplace isnt just a hiring fad. Definitions of diversity jmc programs have created a smorgasbord of definitions for diversity.
Pdf diversity is a phenomenon which is increasingly manifesting itself in the globalized society. Workplace inclusion and diversity strategy 201923 11 our themes and goals our approach to inclusion and diversity is underpinned by our four key themes. 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. Strategies for managing workplace conflict presenters. In some organizations, diversity is strictly focused upon race, gender, religion, and disability status.
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