Diversity in the Workplace Benefits and Challenges

The Changing Workplace The world’s increasing globalization requires more interaction among people with diverse backgrounds The world’s increasing globalization requires more interaction among people with diverse backgrounds Cultures Cultures Beliefs Beliefs Backgrounds Backgrounds

The Changing Workplace People no longer live and work in a confined marketplace People no longer live and work in a confined marketplace Worldwide economy Worldwide economy Competition from every continent Competition from every continent Companies need diverstiy to become more creative and open to change Companies need diverstiy to become more creative and open to change

Diversity Defined Diversity is generally defined as: Diversity is generally defined as: Acknowledging, understanding, accepting, valuing and celebrating differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice and public assistance status Acknowledging, understanding, accepting, valuing and celebrating differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice and public assistance status

Demographic Changes Changes in the workplace will increase the need to understand diversity Changes in the workplace will increase the need to understand diversity Women in the workplace Women in the workplace Organizational restructuring Organizational restructuring Equal opportunity legislation Equal opportunity legislation

Women in the Workplace Today’s workforce has the highest levels of employment participation ever by women Today’s workforce has the highest levels of employment participation ever by women The number of dual income families and single working mothers has increased The number of dual income families and single working mothers has increased Fewer men and women in traditional family roles Fewer men and women in traditional family roles

Organizational Restructuring Significant changes have been taking place as a result of downsizing and outsourcing Significant changes have been taking place as a result of downsizing and outsourcing Trend toward longer working hours and fewer people doing more Trend toward longer working hours and fewer people doing more

Legislation Federal and State equal opportunity legislation make discrimination illegal Federal and State equal opportunity legislation make discrimination illegal Law specify the rights and responsibilities of both associates and employers in the workplace Law specify the rights and responsibilities of both associates and employers in the workplace Both groups are held responsible Both groups are held responsible

Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace Beneficial to both associates and employers Beneficial to both associates and employers Respecting individual differences can increase productivity Respecting individual differences can increase productivity Reduce lawsuits and increase opportunities Reduce lawsuits and increase opportunities Positive business image Positive business image

Challenges of Diversity in the Workplace Managing diversity is more than acknowledging differences in people Managing diversity is more than acknowledging differences in people Recognize the value of differences Recognize the value of differences Combating discrimination Combating discrimination Promoting inclusiveness Promoting inclusiveness Loss of personnel and work productivity due to prejudice and discrimination Loss of personnel and work productivity due to prejudice and discrimination

Conclusion A diverse workforce is a reflection of the changing world and marketplace A diverse workforce is a reflection of the changing world and marketplace Diverse work teams bring high value to organizations Diverse work teams bring high value to organizations Respecting individual differences will benefit the workplace by creating a competitive edge and increasing work productivity Respecting individual differences will benefit the workplace by creating a competitive edge and increasing work productivity