Diversity and Rights in the Workplace Co-op II

Terms Diversity- refers to the many factors that make people different. Diversity involves respecting people’s differences. The U.S. in the most DIVERSE country in the world. Diversity- refers to the many factors that make people different. Diversity involves respecting people’s differences. The U.S. in the most DIVERSE country in the world. Factors that cause population differences: Factors that cause population differences: 1. Age (2005 – 22 million workers are 55 or older. 1. Age (2005 – 22 million workers are 55 or older. 2. Cultural heritage 2. Cultural heritage

3. Disabilities/abilities 3. Disabilities/abilities 4. Gender 4. Gender 5. Language 5. Language 6. National Origin 6. National Origin 7. Race 7. Race 8. Religion 8. Religion 9. Sexual Orientation 9. Sexual Orientation 10. Traditions 10. Traditions

Major Racial and Ethnic groups in the U.S. Major Racial and Ethnic groups in the U.S. (Ethnic group is a group of people who share common racial and/or culture characteristics) (Ethnic group is a group of people who share common racial and/or culture characteristics) A. Native Americans A. Native Americans B. European Americans B. European Americans C. Asian Americans C. Asian Americans D. African Americans D. African Americans E. Hispanic Americans E. Hispanic Americans

The Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace: The Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace: A. There are fewer lawsuits. A. There are fewer lawsuits. B. Morale is higher B. Morale is higher C. Creativity increases C. Creativity increases D. Productivity increases D. Productivity increases E. Quality workers are attracted to the organization. E. Quality workers are attracted to the organization.

F. The decision making process improves. F. The decision making process improves. G. More customers are reached. G. More customers are reached. H. Goodwill and positive ties are formed with businesses and government groups. H. Goodwill and positive ties are formed with businesses and government groups.

Employer Strategies for Promoting Workplace Diversity Develop a diversity policy. Include the policy in the employee handbook and discuss it in company publications Develop a diversity policy. Include the policy in the employee handbook and discuss it in company publications Recruit employees for diversity task forces and advisory councils to guide the overall diversity policy. Recruit employees for diversity task forces and advisory councils to guide the overall diversity policy. Reward behavior the reinforces diversity goals. Reward behavior the reinforces diversity goals. Evaluate manager and employee performance based on diversity measures. Evaluate manager and employee performance based on diversity measures. Revise existing company policies and benefits so they support diverse needs. Revise existing company policies and benefits so they support diverse needs. Place special emphasis on recruiting individuals from populations that are missing or underrepresented in the orginazation Place special emphasis on recruiting individuals from populations that are missing or underrepresented in the orginazation

Promote community volunteer work that encourages employees to work with diversity populations Promote community volunteer work that encourages employees to work with diversity populations Link diversity goals to business goals. Link diversity goals to business goals. Provide training programs that help employees examine assumptions and past attitudes Provide training programs that help employees examine assumptions and past attitudes Provide training programs to help managers develop skills for removing communication barriers among workers. Provide training programs to help managers develop skills for removing communication barriers among workers. Keep employees informed about diversity efforts that have benefited the company. Keep employees informed about diversity efforts that have benefited the company.

Employee Actions That Encourage Workplace Diversity 1. Show flexibility in adapting to your co- workers and work environment. 1. Show flexibility in adapting to your co- workers and work environment. 2. Examine your assumptions about people different from you. 2. Examine your assumptions about people different from you. 3. Explore different cultures through cultural events, movies etc. 3. Explore different cultures through cultural events, movies etc. 4. Show patience in understanding and communicating with others with language 4. Show patience in understanding and communicating with others with languageBarriers.

5. Politely ask for clarification if a message or gesture doesn’t make sense to you. 5. Politely ask for clarification if a message or gesture doesn’t make sense to you. 6. Admit your unfamiliarity with diverse customs, but express a willingness to learn. 6. Admit your unfamiliarity with diverse customs, but express a willingness to learn. 7. Adjust your style of humor so jokes are not made at someone else’s expense. 7. Adjust your style of humor so jokes are not made at someone else’s expense. 8. Look beyond everyday annoyances and 8. Look beyond everyday annoyances and See the humanity I each person. 9. Recognize you are no better than your coworkers.