4. Advantages of Diversity
in the Workforce
Myriad of benefits include:
Creation of a collaborative
workforce
Increased adaptability
Solid business reputation
Increased customer base
Broader service range
Access to a wealth of
information, skills, and
experiences
Increased productivity
5. Disadvantages of
Diversity in the
Workplace
Disadvantages of a diverse
workforce
Mandatory training
Resistance to change
Communication
Workplace relationships
Hiring manager authority
Need to make group
specific accommodations
6. Strategies for dealing with Diversity
Recognition
Fairness
Focus on yourself
Employee assessment
Encourage interaction
8. References
Definition of Diversity. (2013). Retrieved March 13, 2013, from Queensborough
Community College: http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/diversity/definition.html
Institute, S. R. (n.d.). Diversity is the Key. Retrieved March 01, 2013, from
Southwest Research Institute:
http://www.swri.org/diversity/images/DiversityBooklet.pdf
Kenny, N. (2012, October 1). Cultural diversity in the workplace. Retrieved
March 1, 2013, from Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/article/cultural-
diversity-the-workplace
Mayhew, R. (2013). Business Advantages of Diversity in the Workplace.
Retrieved March 1, 2013, from The Houston Chronicle:
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/business-advantages-diversity-workplace-
3126.html
Mayhew, R. (2013). Disadvantages in Increasing Diversity in the Workplace.
Retrieved March 1, 2013, from Houston Chronicle:
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/disadvantages-increasing-diversity-workplace-
24337.html
Ryan, T. (2013). 5 Strategies for Dealing with Diversity in the Workplace.
Retrieved March 1, 2013, from Houston Chronicle:
http;//smallbusiness.chron.com/5-strategies-dealing-diversity-workplace-
18106.html
Notes de l'éditeur
Diversity and Cultural Issues related to human resourcesBy: Rory Calhoun
In today’s business world one of the greatest benefits and some of the biggest issues arise do to diversity in the workforce The definition of diversity is very broad and differs from person to person or organization to organization. “The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. Diversity has come a long way sense its humble beginnings and today the world’s workforce is more diverse than ever. With diversity come many advantages, disadvantages, and strategies to deal with the numerous issues that diversity brings.
Diversity was first introduced into the workforce in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The first act of promoting a diverse workforce was by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, with the establishment of the President’s Committee of Equal Opportunity Employment. The committee’s purpose was to end employment discrimination by the government and its subsidiaries. President Kennedy’s commitment to diversity was followed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Civil Rights Act prohibited discrimination against any individual for reasons associated race, color, sex, religion, disability, etc. regarding employment, which includes hiring, firing, promoting, training, pay, and working conditions. Then in 1971 the idea of Affirmative Action Programs were devised by the Nixon Administration. Up to this point diversity was mandated by the government, the 1980’s and 1990’s brought about a change. During this time period businesses realized that a diverse workforce was a valued business resource. Businesses began to offer diversity training programs to employees, while focusing on diversity as a key to business success. Today’s business has become focused on the benefits of a diverse workforce and using diversity to benefit the organization and the organization’s customers.
The overall success of an organization hinges on the organizations ability to take advantage of diversity and use its benefits. Diversity creates a collaborative workforce, increased adaptability, solid business reputation, increased customer base, broader service range, along with myriad of other benefits Through these benefits diversity creates a business environment that is limitless. Diversity allows an organization to access a wealth of information, skills, and experiences through which to conduct business and service customers not only locally but globally as well. Workforce diversity can ultimately lead to increased productivity, which in turn leads to greater overall success for the organization.
There are a number of disadvantages associated with workforce diversity. These disadvantages include mandatory training, resistance to change, communication, workplace relationships, hiring manager authority, and the need to make group specific accommodations. These challenges can have a detrimental effect of the success of an organization. If the effected organization does not rectify or address any or all of these challenges serious problem will surely arise.
With the overwhelming importance of diversity there are a few strategies an organization can use to insure success when dealing with diversity. The first strategy is recognition; an organization must recognize people are different and embrace there differences. The second strategy is fairness; an organization must treat employees fairly and respect their differences. The third strategy is to focus on yourself; diversity starts with the management of your own attitude and behavior. The fourth strategy is employee assessment; an organization should use employee assessments to observe the employees overall attitude regarding coworkers. Finally the fifth strategy is to encourage interaction; issues regarding diversity should be discussed openly and employee interaction is encouraged. The use these strategies can help an organization to deal with some of the issues that may arise regarding diversity within an organization. The strategies listed previously are basic or generic and can be used by any organization in regards diversity, however strategies should be adopted by an organization that suit the needs of the particular organization.
Since today’s workforce is more diverse than ever, the subject of diversity will play a major part in my career and that of everyone in today’s business world. Many of the most success organizations in the world are also the most diverse. Diversity has numerous advantages and disadvantages that must be taken into consideration. It is imperative that management has the proper procedures and strategies in place to deal with issues that arise as a result of workforce diversity. In a management position in a diverse workforce it is essential to bring diversity into the open and embrace it as a part of doing business. This can be achieved through many different venues such team building exercises, training, and encouraging employee collaboration. Diversity brings many more positive features than negative to big business and finding ways to harness this asset will be key to success. I think that the biggest roadblock for diversity is human nature, because people resist what they do not understand. That is the reason why organizational training and close workforce collaboration is so important to making diversity succeed. After all the world is just becoming more and more diverse everyday and resisting change will only result in failure, thus embracing diversity will lead to success.
