Managing diversity is a key component of effective people management in the workplace black enterprise 2001. Why is diversity in the workplace important to employees. On the other hand, research has found that a strong. It provides a general defini tion for diversity, discusses the benefits of. Diversity and inclusion at the workplace deloitte insights. Having diverse employees increases the bottom line and also assists in staying on the right side of the law. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 2 advantages.
Its a job that is so important that there are occupational safety standards and regulations set by the us occupational safety and health. We are live in an increasingly multicultural society. Apr 24, 2011 we examine whether firms and their employees benefit from age and educational diversity. Although you probably understand the importance of diversity in the workplace, your employees might not grasp how it affects them. The impact of a diverse workforce on an organization. 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. Workplace diversity in the workplace 1694 words 7 pages. 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. In order to answer the research question the author defined the following objectives of the study. Cultural diversity acknowledges the existence of broad cultural groups within indian culture. In this way, diversity is a key ingredient to growing a strong and inclusive economy thats built to last.
Diversity can provide unique perspectives, but it may take time for revenue and productivity increases to arrive. Companies who have greater workplace diversity outperform. Cultural diversity has been part of indias history, and through it, india culture is. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in modern. Diversity in the workplace benefits and challenges. A workplace with a diverse range of ages, for example, may experience tension between workers of various generations. There is a copious amount of information and data that proves the numerous benefits diversity in the workplace can bring your business. The study concludes that successfully managing diversity can lead to more committed, better satisfied, better performing employees and potentially better. Business advantages of diversity in the workplace the united states office of employment predicts that 29 percent of the u. Without diverse leadership, women are 20% less likely than straight white men to win endorsement for. One of the greatest advantages of a diverse workplace is the host of perspectives it provides. Its goal is to help create a climate in which all individuals feel personally safe, listened to, valued, and treated fairly and with respect. Although associates are interdependent in the workplace, respecting individual differences can increase productivity. These conclusions are robust to using alternative estimators fixed effects, gmm, and olleypakes approach.
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. 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. Workplace diversity should be one of the top things businesses today should address. A diverse workforce can seize a larger consumer market segment. What are the benefits of diversity in the workplace uwf.
Workplace diversity through recruitment a stepbystep. The research question of the study is has workplace diversity contributed to organizational success. Leadership integrity and diversity are significant factors in the relationship between leader and employee in the workplace. Diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, education, back ground, cognitive style and much more. It is an important step for businesses looking to become competitive at a global level.
The top 10 economic facts of diversity in the workplace. Diversity in the workplace can reduce lawsuits and increase marketing opportunities, recruitment, creativity, and business image esty et al. Benefits and disadvantages of diversity in the workplace. 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.
The current study examines the potential barriers to workplace diversity and suggests strategies to enhance workplace diversity and inclusiveness. When employees learn how they benefit from your diversity policy, they might be more willing to embrace the concept and comply with company directives. 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. Lets look at the top 10 economic benefits of workplace diversity. Workplace diversity is a common topic of conversation among employers, hiring managers and recruitment professionals. Many large organizations now define themselves as global entities, making religious, gender, generational, and other types of diversity a business reality. Diversity in the workplace by john morgan and felix v. Workplace diversity also makes your company look more interesting. Furthermore, the socially adequate management of a workforce should have policies. Pdf leadership integrity and diversity in the workplace.
Most respondents, however78% work at companies that lack 2d diversity in leadership. Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in. At the plant level we explain productivity with workforce characteristics. 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. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits does have its flaws. Thank you all for not only your time, but also for your courage to share, at times very painful, experiences, with me. Workplace diversity is not just an inclusion fad it has tangible and direct benefits. According to mckinsey, the most genderdiverse companies are 21% more like to experience aboveaverage profitability. The importance of health and safety in the workplace. Diversity in the workplace is an issue that still goes on today. 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. They cannot be named, but without their input this book would not exist. Workplace diversity benefits and employment laws workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization.
And the benefits of true workplace diversity are so obviously attractive that the challenges inherent in it simply have to be addressed. Study the views of various companies regarding the choice and implementation of workplace diversity. Examples of diversity issues in the workplace bizfluent. 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. Cultural diversity in the workplace is when companies are open to hiring employees from all sorts of different backgrounds. Faculty of health sciences, durban university of technology kev words abstract.
Aluko, olabisi onabanjo university, nigeria abstract. 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. 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. Diversity of experience, age, physical ability, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and many other attributes contributes to. 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. 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. Consequently, modern day organisations need to address the causes of these issues to exploit the benefits of wpd. 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. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits. This article summarizes research on the benefits and challenges of diversity and provides suggestions for realizing the benefits. Critical skills in communication ge111 submitted by. It is important to understand what diversity is and how to promote and manage the differences between individuals. Age diversity is positively and educational diversity negatively related to total factor productivity.
Its simple, but it helps create a culture of inclusion. Lee, mba, a professional speaker, diversity consultant and the author of several books on diversity in the workplace. The importance of diversity in the workplace 1018 words 5 pages. Although, throughout time it has improved greatly, there are still some problems with diversity in the workplace. 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. 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. What are the benefits of diversity in the workplace. Diversity is important in the workplace but also can be the catalyst of discrimination. The importance of diversity in the workplace there are clear signs in the latest leadership, employment and direction l. Top 10 benefits of diversity in the workplace infographic. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity. Survey results that organisations are slowly awakening to the positive benefits available through a diverse workforce.
The benefits of workplace diversity in their neverending quest for talent, many organisations tend to forget about diversity in the workplace. More importantly, it estimates that from 1998 to 2008 some 41 percent of the people entering the u. That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more. When companies recruit and retain a diverse pool of people, it brings about different benefits to the company as well as its employees. This, in turn, leads to happier, more productive employees. Benefits of diversity in the workplace gender, generation, culture greater consumer market share. Businesses should prioritize hiring diverse employees because of the many great things associated with it. Impact of diversity and inclusion within organisations. Many hazards are present in todays work environments, and its the employers job to keep their employees safe from these hazards. Prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in modern day organizations.
Second, the need for diversity and inclusion is now an important component at work. Diversity, like your innerchild, is something you should embrace. Embracing cultural diversity in the workplace is an important first step for businesses that want to be competitive on an international scale. I feel very honoured that you showed me such confidence. 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. Here are a few of the top benefits or diversity in the workplace. Barriers and benefits of diversity in the workplace. For employees to follow their leaders, they want someone that they can. 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. Companies that are dedicated to building and promoting diversity in the workplace are seen as good, more human and socially responsible organizations. From the virgin group to disney and pricewaterhousecoopers, organizations across industries are embracing the benefits of a diverse workforce. Many initiatives stop before they can be successful because there is a lack of patience with this process.
Having more women working in the labor force would help to fill job shortages at the local, regional, national, and international level. Why diversity in the workplace is good for your business tog. But diversity and inclusion in the workplace isnt just a hiring fad. Nov 21, 2018 workplace diversity issues can arise in many situations. Josh greenberg workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Time and again, evidence supports the theory that gender diversity has a positive impact on the bottom line. Diversity management, challenges and opportunities in multicultural organizations patrick a. 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. Managing diversity in the workplace means that businesses need to keep abreast of changing employerrelated laws and trends, especially diversity related changes. 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. Explore the required tools for managing workplace diversity.
Given this fact, businesses, educational systems and other entities are investigating ways to better serve their constituents. We discuss benefits and challenges of a diverse workplace. 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. Introduction workplace diversity is the issue of people, focus on the differences and similarities that people bring to an organization. Jan 14, 2014 diversity is critical for organizations ability to innovate and adapt in a fastchanging environment. But it also has certain challenges you have to overcome to reap the benefits. Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Benefits and challenges of diversity in academic settings. Workplace diversity can make american companies more productive and profitable. In the workplace, health and safety regulations are paramount to the wellbeing of the employees and the employer. The importance of cultural diversity in the workplace cant be understated.
Workplace diversity has become a hot button issue and a top priority for recruitment departments. When diversity is a point of emphasis on organizational teams, there are benefits which become possible to the national economy. The advantages and disadvantages of diversity in the workplace must be carefully managed for the results to be successful. 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. The worlds increasing development requires more interaction between people from different backgrounds. We need diversity in the workplace essay 1496 words. Stephen butler, cochair of the businesshigher education forum, believes diversity is an invaluable competitive asset robinson 2002. This paper is designed for managers to effectively manage diverse workforce populations. And we hope that the four steps outlined above will, at. Workplace diversity boosts the companys reputation and brand. Pdf managing workplace diversity issues and challenges.
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. The impact of workplace diversity on organisations core. People no longer live and work in a narrowminded environment. Millennial employees, for example, may prefer a more collaborative approach to work, while baby boomers tend to be more reserved. Impact of workplace diversity society of interdisciplinary business. It is an understanding that individuals are unique and different.
Achieving an inclusive workplace that drives performance, innovation and productivity requires inclusive leadership. 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. However, its important that diversity becomes a focal point during the recruitment process as its essentially the first step toward creating a multicultural work environment. May 31, 2017 diversity in the workplace should be more than just an issue of compliance with the law. Sep, 2016 support diversity in the workplace across every facet of your organization. It provides a general defini tion for workplace diversity, discusses the benefits and challenges of managing diverse workplaces, and presents effective strategies. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity, it. The benefits of workplace diversity greatly outweigh the barriers you may have to cross to get there. These guidelines cover the legal framework for workplace diversity in the australian. 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. Diversity the concept of diversity is based on individual acceptance and respect. The importance of diversity in the workplace advantages.
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. Explain benefits and limitations of workplace diversity. Encouraging diversity can help a business grow and thrive. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in. Diversity is beneficial to both associates and employers. They also bring differences that we must understand and embrace for those benefits to be realized. Take a look at how progressive insurance invites and nurtures diversity to build an. Furthermore, we examine workplace functional diversity and ageinclusive management as two contingent factors shaping the effects of age diversity on human and social capital.
428 964 524 506 45 1038 543 1150 903 831 659 1082 284 797 858 974 1160 1363 909 53 1402 1049 1251 4 390 912 1457 1111 1267