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. The importance of diversity in the workplace there are clear signs in the latest leadership, employment and direction l. Explain benefits and limitations of workplace diversity. One of the greatest advantages of a diverse workplace is the host of perspectives it provides. Explore the required tools for managing workplace diversity. On the other hand, research has found that a strong. Inherent diversity is biological traits such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, while acquired diversity is things you gain from experience like religion, cultural experiences, and situations that make an impact on your thoughtprocess. When diversity is a point of emphasis on organizational teams, there are benefits which become possible to the national economy. And we hope that the four steps outlined above will, at. Cultural diversity in the workplace is when companies are open to hiring employees from all sorts of different backgrounds.
Having more women working in the labor force would help to fill job shortages at the local, regional, national, and international level. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits. Furthermore, we examine workplace functional diversity and ageinclusive management as two contingent factors shaping the effects of age diversity on human and social capital. The importance of cultural diversity in the workplace cant be understated. Pdf managing workplace diversity issues and challenges. Apr 24, 2011 we examine whether firms and their employees benefit from age and educational diversity.
Given this fact, businesses, educational systems and other entities are investigating ways to better serve their constituents. Many hazards are present in todays work environments, and its the employers job to keep their employees safe from these hazards. This lesson discusses the definitions of diversity and how the laws protect individuals and groups, as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with diversity in the workplace. Take a look at how progressive insurance invites and nurtures diversity to build an.
Achieving an inclusive workplace that drives performance, innovation and productivity requires inclusive leadership. Its goal is to help create a climate in which all individuals feel personally safe, listened to, valued, and treated fairly and with respect. Why workplace diversity benefits your business share if your workforce doesnt reflect the community it serves, your business may be missing out on the chance to find great employees and break into new and growing markets, both locally and globally. Take action to build an organization where every employee can thrive. Diversity the concept of diversity is based on individual acceptance and respect. Cultural diversity has been part of indias history, and through it, india culture is. For several decades research done by demographers, sociologists, psychologists, economists and human resource specialists show that multinational social groups that is, of diverse cultural background, ethnicity, and gender drive more innovation and creativity compared to homogenous workplace diversity. The advantages and disadvantages of diversity in the workplace must be carefully managed for the results to be successful. These guidelines cover the legal framework for workplace diversity in the australian.
The benefits of workplace diversity in their neverending quest for talent, many organisations tend to forget about diversity in the workplace. Managing diversity in the workplace means that businesses need to keep abreast of changing employerrelated laws and trends, especially diversity related changes. The impact of workplace diversity on organisations core. The benefits of workplace diversity greatly outweigh the barriers you may have to cross to get there. Diversity is beneficial to both associates and employers. Leadership integrity and diversity are significant factors in the relationship between leader and employee in the workplace. Faculty of health sciences, durban university of technology kev words abstract. Diversity, like your innerchild, is something you should embrace.
Aluko, olabisi onabanjo university, nigeria abstract. Survey results that organisations are slowly awakening to the positive benefits available through a diverse workforce. In the workplace, health and safety regulations are paramount to the wellbeing of the employees and the employer. In this way, diversity is a key ingredient to growing a strong and inclusive economy thats built to last. Sep, 2016 support diversity in the workplace across every facet of your organization. Why diversity in the workplace is good for your business tog. Here are a few of the top benefits or diversity in the workplace. More importantly, it estimates that from 1998 to 2008 some 41 percent of the people entering the u. May 31, 2017 diversity in the workplace should be more than just an issue of compliance with the law. Jan 14, 2014 diversity is critical for organizations ability to innovate and adapt in a fastchanging environment.
And the benefits of true workplace diversity are so obviously attractive that the challenges inherent in it simply have to be addressed. It is important to understand what diversity is and how to promote and manage the differences between individuals. This is because it allows a company to bring people from different backgrounds, thus enabling the organization to better understand the different cultures, races or genders that make up the consumer market. This paper is designed for managers to effectively manage diverse workforce populations. Companies that are dedicated to building and promoting diversity in the workplace are seen as good, more human and socially responsible organizations. Workforce diversity plan 20122017 workforce diversity plan 20122017 workforce diversity is about respecting and valuing the differing backgrounds, skills and experiences we all bring to the workplace. Many large organizations now define themselves as global entities, making religious, gender, generational, and other types of diversity a business reality. 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. Many initiatives stop before they can be successful because there is a lack of patience with this process. Diversity in the workplace benefits and challenges. Benefits and challenges of diversity in academic settings. I feel very honoured that you showed me such confidence.
The current study examines the potential barriers to workplace diversity and suggests strategies to enhance workplace diversity and inclusiveness. Benefits and challenges of diversity the diversity of a universitys faculty, staff, and students influences its strength, productivity, and intellectual personality. Benefits of diversity and inclusion when firms better represent the world and legislative environment around them external. Jan 30, 2017 not only do corporations that promote workplace diversity have their pick of the best executive talent, they can also retain those top employees. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity. Benefits and disadvantages of diversity in the workplace. Benefits of diversity in the workplace gender, generation, culture greater consumer market share. Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in. Age diversity is positively and educational diversity negatively related to total factor productivity. Diversity and inclusion at the workplace deloitte insights.
The top 10 economic facts of diversity in the workplace. Workplace diversity has become a hot button issue and a top priority for recruitment departments. Top 10 benefits of diversity in the workplace infographic. Stephen butler, cochair of the businesshigher education forum, believes diversity is an invaluable competitive asset robinson 2002. Critical skills in communication ge111 submitted by. At the plant level we explain productivity with workforce characteristics. Thank you all for not only your time, but also for your courage to share, at times very painful, experiences, with me. Diversity in the workplace can reduce lawsuits and increase marketing opportunities, recruitment, creativity, and business image esty et al.
The equity and diversity principles of right, opportunity, recognition and inclusion rori are to be applied to increased recruitment, retention, development and progression of people from diverse backgrounds. Workplace diversity can make american companies more productive and profitable. Prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in modern day organizations. For employees to follow their leaders, they want someone that they can. These conclusions are robust to using alternative estimators fixed effects, gmm, and olleypakes approach. The study also sought to determine the effect of education diversity, ethnic diversity, gender diversity and age diversity on employee performance in the banking industry in kenya. The broad set of skills and perspectives of a diverse team provides a greater chance at achieving breakthroughs like new products and services, new markets to address, or new approaches to existing marketsjust to name a few.
Managing diversity is a key component of effective people management in the workplace black enterprise 2001. Workplace diversity is the acceptance of the fact that every individual is unique, and respecting that their uniqueness could be because of their race, gender, age, class, and physical ability, sexual orientation, and religious inclination. We discuss benefits and challenges of a diverse workplace. Impact of diversity and inclusion within organisations. Impact of workplace diversity society of interdisciplinary business. Examples of diversity issues in the workplace bizfluent. Having diverse employees increases the bottom line and also assists in staying on the right side of the law. The research question of the study is has workplace diversity contributed to organizational success. Although associates are interdependent in the workplace, respecting individual differences can increase productivity. The impact of a diverse workforce on an organization. Diversity is important in the workplace but also can be the catalyst of discrimination. Introduction workplace diversity is the issue of people, focus on the differences and similarities that people bring to an organization. People no longer live and work in a narrowminded environment.
Its a job that is so important that there are occupational safety standards and regulations set by the us occupational safety and health. A recent survey by the society for human resource management shrm found that 57% of recruiters say their talent acquisition strategies are designed to attract diverse candidates. This article summarizes research on the benefits and challenges of diversity and provides suggestions for realizing the benefits. Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in multicultural organizations patrick a. The worlds increasing development requires more interaction between people from different backgrounds. That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more. A workplace with a diverse range of ages, for example, may experience tension between workers of various generations. Businesses are recognizing the need and importance of investing in diversity and inclusion as part of their overall talent management practices and to continually challenge their organizations to make the connection between those principles and their corporate performance. Although you probably understand the importance of diversity in the workplace, your employees might not grasp how it affects them. What are the benefits of diversity in the workplace uwf. Barriers and benefits of diversity in the workplace. Nov 21, 2018 workplace diversity issues can arise in many situations.
Diversity can provide unique perspectives, but it may take time for revenue and productivity increases to arrive. The importance of diversity in the workplace advantages. Diversity in the workplace is an issue that still goes on today. Research shows that companies that have more inclusive staffing policies have a healthier work environment and that a positive work environment leads to a decrease in staff turnover. Individuals from diverse backgrounds can offer a selection of different talents, skills, and experiences, that may be of benefit to the organization and their work performance. Workplace diversity should be one of the top things businesses today should address. We need diversity in the workplace essay 1496 words.
Second, the need for diversity and inclusion is now an important component at work. Society benefits on several levels when encouraging diversity in the workplace. Pdf leadership integrity and diversity in the workplace. According to mckinsey, the most genderdiverse companies are 21% more like to experience aboveaverage profitability.
Most respondents, however78% work at companies that lack 2d diversity in leadership. Workplace diversity benefits and employment laws workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Companies who have greater workplace diversity outperform. Businesses should prioritize hiring diverse employees because of the many great things associated with it.
Workplace diversity through recruitment a stepbystep. Diversity of experience, age, physical ability, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and many other attributes contributes to. We are live in an increasingly multicultural society. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity, it. Guidelines on workplace diversity is designed to assist agencies meet their legal obligation to develop a workplace diversity program and to help them embed the principles of workplace diversity in their culture and their management systems. Embracing cultural diversity in the workplace is an important first step for businesses that want to be competitive on an international scale. But it also has certain challenges you have to overcome to reap the benefits. When employees learn how they benefit from your diversity policy, they might be more willing to embrace the concept and comply with company directives. A diverse workforce can seize a larger consumer market segment.
In order to answer the research question the author defined the following objectives of the study. Lets look at the top 10 economic benefits of workplace diversity. Why is diversity in the workplace important to employees. Workplace diversity also makes your company look more interesting. This, in turn, leads to happier, more productive employees. But diversity and inclusion in the workplace isnt just a hiring fad. Time and again, evidence supports the theory that gender diversity has a positive impact on the bottom line. Cultural diversity acknowledges the existence of broad cultural groups within indian culture. 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. It is an important step for businesses looking to become competitive at a global level. What are the benefits of diversity in the workplace. Millennial employees, for example, may prefer a more collaborative approach to work, while baby boomers tend to be more reserved. Workplace diversity in the workplace 1694 words 7 pages.
Furthermore, the socially adequate management of a workforce should have policies. Diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, education, back ground, cognitive style and much more. Study the views of various companies regarding the choice and implementation of workplace diversity. Consequently, modern day organisations need to address the causes of these issues to exploit the benefits of wpd. Josh greenberg workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Many of these same companies have already realized the benefits of encouraging diversity in age, gender and ethnicity for years but are perhaps new to the idea of cognitive diversity. Its simple, but it helps create a culture of inclusion.
The importance of health and safety in the workplace. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in modern. Without diverse leadership, women are 20% less likely than straight white men to win endorsement for. The study concludes that successfully managing diversity can lead to more committed, better satisfied, better performing employees and potentially better. When you create a work environment where employees see a representation of a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, theyre more likely to feel comfortable being themselves. There is a copious amount of information and data that proves the numerous benefits diversity in the workplace can bring your business. It is an understanding that individuals are unique and different. Workplace diversity boosts the companys reputation and brand. Although, throughout time it has improved greatly, there are still some problems with diversity in the workplace. Workplace diversity is a common topic of conversation among employers, hiring managers and recruitment professionals. Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in.
They cannot be named, but without their input this book would not exist. It provides a general defini tion for diversity, discusses the benefits of. Lee, mba, a professional speaker, diversity consultant and the author of several books on diversity in the workplace. As the baby boomer generation begins to retire and a large, deeply experienced percentage of the energy industry workforce moves on, power plant operators are forced to address challenges related to both staffing and skill gaps. 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. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 2 advantages. Business advantages of diversity in the workplace the united states office of employment predicts that 29 percent of the u. They also bring differences that we must understand and embrace for those benefits to be realized. When companies recruit and retain a diverse pool of people, it brings about different benefits to the company as well as its employees. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits does have its flaws. Diversity in the workplace by john morgan and felix v. In the workplace, valuing diversity means creating a workplace that respects and includes differences, recognizing the unique contributions that individuals with many types of differences can make, and creating a work environment that maximizes the potential of all employees.
From the virgin group to disney and pricewaterhousecoopers, organizations across industries are embracing the benefits of a diverse workforce. Executive summary best practices in achieving workforce diversity diversity affects the world advances in technology and the advent of a global economy bring the people of the world closer together than ever before. The importance of diversity in the workplace 1018 words 5 pages. Workplace diversity is not just an inclusion fad it has tangible and direct benefits. Encouraging diversity can help a business grow and thrive. It provides a general defini tion for workplace diversity, discusses the benefits and challenges of managing diverse workplaces, and presents effective strategies. Ever since john kennedy was the president of the united states, the concept of workplace discrimination, and the flip side of that coin which is workplace diversity, has been a common issue.
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