Staffing & Diversity

Staffing & Diversity

Introduction

The workplace has its own systematic in-house culture. Throughout its levels, people establish boundaries to who their superiors are and who their competitors are. In the current era, global competition has taken a major effect on all industries and there is a desiring need of gaining competitive advantage. A key problem that has occurred with expanded boundaries is staff diversity. Many of the companies believed in hiring only locals while suppressing the foreign 'potential' employees.

About five years ago, a certain situation had come to notice. There was a lack of diversification in the overall staffing of the company. With this sort of situation, morale among the staff already working became poor. At the same time, new business laws had been implemented which required minimum diverse personnel at the workplace. This put the employer on the spot and she was in a risky situation where she could face discrimination charges. Also, in terms of strength of the company, not utilizing diverse staff meant that the whole organization was of same culture, taste, and perception. There was nothing new or innovative brought to development since everyone had the same focus.

Discussion

Issue Addressed

The issue that is being faced by the company is the lack of staffing diversity. It is highly important since it could give the firm a competitive advantage and at the same time, it is legally required to maintain a certain amount of diversity in the workforce. The problem in question arose due to the expansion of globalization and the change of practices in organizations catering to diversity management. Diversity needs to be addressed essentially to compete with other organizations. The benefits involve increased productivity, minimal employee turnover, new innovations with diverse perspectives, higher flexibility to address needs of vast customers not just one country, higher access to markets which may have demand for products, and enhanced reputation of the firm since a higher share of people are grabbing awareness and spreading around their communities (Government of Alberta 2008, p. 2-43).

As a resource, staff diversity is an effective manner to utilize time and money. Usually, when diversity improves in an organization, competition for performance also improves. This results in more productivity as well as quality. It is considered a highly motivating improvement that keeps workers on their toes in terms of job performance. The problem with diversity sometimes is that it can be confusing. For example, if Spanish employees, who don't speak English, are hired at an all American legal firm, how are they supposed to comprehend or communicate in that organization? In these situations, the company can sometimes provide assistance by offering ESL (English as a Second Language) training to improve the foreign staff.

Legal Implications

In the United States of America, diversity programs are a majority priority by law. Diversity management in the workplace is now become a standard and a requirement. Organizations are required to maintain a minimum requirement in order to function as separate entity. In the government wide strategic place released ...