What is Diversity?

Ensuring diversity within an organization offers supervisors the opportunity to make the best fit between the employee and the job, allowing varied points of view to be aired and improving decision making.

Businesses and governments are striving to acknowledge diversity in their communications and interactions with citizens, employees, and customers.

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Diversity

Characteristics of individuals that shape their identities and the experiences they have in society.

A Look at Our Diversity

As recently as 1980 white men accounted for half of U.S. workers.

Today:The number of white women in the workforce has risen

above 40 percent--particularly mothers of young children.

Women owned businesses are growing.The proportion of women and minorities in the

workforce is expected to rise to more than 80 percent soon.

The workforce is expected to continue to age.McGraw-Hill/Irwin © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.5-2

Composition of the American Workforce

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Challenges to Working in a Diverse Society

Trends in the composition of the workforce are changing the way business firms operate.Supervisors today need new skills

to communicate and collaborate effectively with a broader range of people.

Even within the company, differences can flourish between one location and another.

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Corporate culture

Beliefs and norms that govern organizational behavior in a firm.

Prejudice and Discrimination

We don’t always recognize our own prejudices for what they are, even when they are affecting our behavior.

Discrimination is prohibited by law.A workplace tainted by prejudice and discrimination

discourages and divides employees.Supervisors have a responsibility to help guard

against discrimination.Once recognized, prejudices can be countered or

even eliminated.

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Stereotypes

Supervisors must always guard against generalizing what they believe or observe about a culture and using that to unfairly classify its members.

Stereotypes prevent us from seeing people as individuals and treating them accordingly.

Two reasons stereotypes may persist despite our realization that they are inaccurate:We tend to think they are helpful shortcuts to forming

opinions.We sometimes find it comforting to think we know what

people are like without taking the time to get to know them in their real complexity.

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Sexism

Sexism is discrimination based on gender stereotypes.

Sexism challenges the supervisor’s efforts to ensure a fair and harmonious work environment.

Examples of sexism:Passing over a woman for a physically demanding jobAsking a pregnant job applicant about child care

arrangementsDenying a promotion to a qualified woman

Sexual harassment is illegal, and experts advise supervisors to adopt a policy of “zero tolerance.”

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Women-Owned Businesses: A Growing Share of the Total

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Ageism

Some people expect older workers to perform less effectively, but evidence shows such negative expectations are often unfounded.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (1967) makes it illegal to fail to hire, or to fire, based on age.

A study of 4,000 executives showed that:Patience doesn’t blossom until after the age of 45.Open-mindedness and teamwork are abilities that

actually increase with age.Supervisors should beware of making decisions

based on assumptions about age. Exception: BFOQ.

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10 Reasons to Hire Older Workers

1. They are flexible about working different schedules.

2. They can serve as mentors to younger co-workers.3. They offer invaluable experience.4. They have a strong work ethic.5. They are more reliable than younger workers.6. They add diversity of thought and approach.7. They are particularly loyal.8. They take their work very seriously.9. They have established networks.10. They are less likely to quit.

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Percentage of People Over Age 65 in the United States, 2000 and 2003

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Sources of Diversity in the Workplace

Ethnic or racial groupReligionCountry or state of originAgeSexFamily sizeMarital statusDisability statusSexual orientationProfession or technical specialtyWork experience

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Advantages of Diversity for Supervisors

The opportunity to learn from the varied perspectives of those unlike ourselves

A better motivated and more loyal team of employees

Enhanced communication skillsImproved management abilityEnhanced opportunities for career

advancement

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Advantages of Diversity for Organizations

Greater ability to attract and retain the best employees for the job

Increased productivityHigher morale and motivation throughout the

companyMore resilient workforceGreater innovationReduced turnoverEnhanced performance leading to greater market

share

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Communication

Nonverbal communication is just as powerful in many contexts as the actual words we say.

Body language differs from one culture to another.In diverse work places, supervisors should choose

words with extra care, particularly when giving directions.

Explanation of terms should be a standard part of orientation and training.

Think before communicating.

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Diversity Training

Formal diversity training may be needed to raise employee awareness of multiculturalism and to help reduce prejudice and stereotypes.

Some firms have experienced a backlash against diversity training—problems include the reinforcement of group stereotypes and even lawsuits based on offensive statements made during “awareness raising” sessions.

Appropriate controls and guidelines should accompany the training, which should be administered by professional trainers.

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Legal Issues

Several acts of legislation have been passed to govern hiring, pay, promotion, and evaluation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)Instituted in 1964Acts as the government’s major means of enforcing

equal employment opportunity lawHas the power to investigate complaints, use

conciliation to eliminate discrimination when found, and file discrimination charges on behalf of an individual if needed

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