DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Diversity In The Workplace

Diversity In The Workplace

Introduction

In order for a company to be successful, the careful management of diversity is needed in order to proactive in managing problems. Public and private sector organizations are involved in a number of activities that seek to reduce cultural and communication barriers to create a more productive work environment. Employee potential is maximized through self-awareness and understanding combined with management and leaderships' commitment to provide a safe environment for employee development. Working along with companies diversity, discovered through self-awareness, employees can realize improved self-management skills and increased job satisfaction.(Simmons,2003)

Discussion

As the United States grows in population there is an increase in the amount of diversity among the people that make up America's workforce. The US Census Bureau estimates that by 2005, people of color will make up nearly 32% of the US population. By 2010, the multicultural populace will represent 36%. Organizations are being challenged to understand and address the linguistic and cultural needs of a diverse workforce. Diversity can be a positive trait of a company or it may cause workplace conflicts and adversity. Diversity is human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups, to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groups (Hoban, 2005). In order to benefit from diversity in the workplace, it is important to understand how individuals are different.

Diversity enhances individual productivity, organizational effectiveness, and sustained competitiveness when recognized and valued. There are many positive aspects of valuing diversity in the workplace. Diversity contributes to the management, development and retention of human capital. A diverse workforce will result in the strengthening and reinforcement of an industrial culture and core values that supports innovation, diverse set of ideas and aligned them with the organizations strategy. Managers that are actively engaging diversity to assists in minimizing legal, governance and financial risk and maximizing productivity returns directly and indirectly correlated to turnover.

Diversity instills multicultural competencies to clarify target markets and identify ways to appropriately represent and portray multicultural images. A recent AMA study demonstrated a clear correlation between diversity at the executive level and an increase in sales. Sales can increase as a result of decisions made by executives with a broader and more diverse background. If there was no value to diversity in the workplace, there would not be any broadened views or there may be little to no appreciation for new innovative ideas created within a diverse corporation. The inability to manage and value diversity within the workplace can be extremely harmful and can cost the company: a negative consumer image, high employee turn over rates, loss of advertising revenue, discrimination suits, litigation time and money, legal fees and settlements.(Donaldson,2002)

Becoming competitive goes beyond capturing and holding market share. It also means working with the best suppliers and attracting and retaining the best employees. Having a broad range of diversity in the workplace allows new and innovative ideas and plans. The quality of the diversity will directly influence the innovations and flexibility any ...