LEARNING TEAM ASSIGNMENT

Learning Team Assignment



Learning Team Assignment

Introduction

For the employers to understand the diversity factors, diversity must be defined and understood. Cavaliere, Mulvaney and Spradley (2002) suggest diversity in the workplace, as a foundation, described as “sensitivity toward and appreciation for the differences among distinct groups of people.” Identifying diversity dimensions now is important because the “minority workforce is expected to increase by 25%” (Fullerton & Toossi, 2001) by the year 2050. As a result of this growth, employers in organizations will be gradually influenced not only to adjust to diversity acceptance, but also to implement policies and practices that are effective in coping with such changes. Companies will be encouraged to focus on diversity and look for ways to become thoroughly inclusive organizations because it has the potential of yielding greater productivity and competitive returns. For now, the focus will surround on just a few dimensions that could bring upon greater cooperation in the workplace; as they impact individual behavior.

Socioeconomic Status

An individual's perception about comprehending the importance of diversity is influenced by their socioeconomic status. For example, in the days gone by, Americans believed that working long hard hours would merit financial stability in the future regardless of the knowledgeable skills and experiences. However, in an article written by Lisa Hawley (2007), the “new wealth in the 1980s and 1990s did not come from long work hours but from 'instant wealth' through investments and dividends;” suggesting that individuals had become less exposed to appreciating diverse skills and demographics because the premise of success is derived through individuality. Take for instance a child growing up in a stable financial socioeconomic home. This child grows up in an environment where understanding complexities to social issues are limited. That child is shielded from these issues because the family is not concerned with the challenges of balancing economic and personal obligations to everyday living. This type of shielding does not expose this child to developing the skills necessary to maintain a healthy life-work balance. This includes ways to deal with issues that require suitable critical decision making that is generally exposed in an open society, such as a workplace. Having a diverse understanding of complex issues will assist in developing an appreciation of differences; a critical element to leading and working in organizations that encourage teamwork and acceptance.

Socioeconomic status also influences the path towards a promising career through the available educational system. Education is a widely used indicator of socioeconomic status in the United States since it is a measurable tool of earnings. As the diversity workforce increases, so does the demand for more skilled and knowledge beyond the high-school level. According to the NCES (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2002) estimates that “65.7 percent of white youth…enrolled in college the fall following high school graduation, while only 54.9 percent of their African American peers and 52.9 percent of their Hispanic peers” enrolled; suggesting that a gap exists combined with race and socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, in cases like this, the priority is not about ...