Diversity

Discuss diversity

Recognize who is a “Protected Class”

Discuss real life scenarios

Identify cultural differences

Communicate more effectively within a multicultural workplace

OBJECTIVES

Human Relations Commission

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect.

It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.  These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. 

It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.

It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

Definition of Diversity:

“Valuing diversity means appreciating and encouraging people to be who they really are, helping them develop their full potential, and utilizing their special talents, skills, ideas and creativity.”

- Ken Blanchard

Valuing Diversity

EEOC

AGE

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) only forbids age discrimination against people who are age 40 or older. It does not protect workers under the age of 40, although some states do have laws that protect younger workers from age discrimination.

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

DISIBILITY

The Americans With Disabilities Act makes it unlawful for employers with 15 or more employees to discriminate against qualified employees on the basis of a disability. Reasonable accommodation must be provided unless it would pose an undue hardship to an employer.

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

EQUAL PAY/COMPENSATION

The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The jobs need not be identical, but they must be substantially equal.

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

NATIONAL ORIGIN

National origin discrimination involves treating people (applicants or employees) unfavorably because they are from a particular country or part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain ethnic background (even if they are not).

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

RACE/COLOR DISCRIMINATION

Race discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because he/she is of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with race (such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features). Color discrimination involves treating someone unfavorably because of skin color complexion.

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

PREGNANCY

The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, such as leave and health insurance, and any other term or condition of employment.

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION

Religious discrimination involves treating a person (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs. The law protects not only people who belong to traditional, organized religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism, but also others who have sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs.

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

SEX

Sex discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of that person’s sex.

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

GENDER IDENTITY

Gender identity discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of that person’s gender identity. (California State law)

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Sexual orientation discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of that person’s sexual preference. (California State law)

Who are the “Protected Classes”?

Human Relations Commission

Human Relations Commission

Learned - The process is called enculturation

Shared – There is no “culture of one”

Patterned – People think and live in patterns

Mutually Constructed – Through social interaction

Arbitrary – Created by humans

Internalized - Habitual and taken for granted

What is culture?

Human Relations Commission

LA County has a population of over 9.9 million. This makes it’s population larger than 42 states. Approximately 33% of the residents in California live in Los Angeles County. This population includes:

1,000,000 residents of African American ancestry

Largest urban American Indian population in U.S.

3,000,000 residents of European ancestry

Did you know…

Human Relations Commission

Largest population of persons of Filipino descent outside of Philipines

Largest population of persons of Mexican descent outside of Mexico

Largest population of Korean descent outside Korea

Largest Iranian population in U.S. Largest population of persons of Armenian

descent outside Armenia Largest pop. of Samoan descent in the world Largest Japanese descent in the U.S.

Did you know…

Population Projections: LA

Source: US Census Bureau; LA County Human Relations Commission

What percent of the students in our schools speak a language other than English at home?

In the United States – 13% In California – 28% In Los Angeles County – 53% What percent of the population was born in

a different country? Los Angeles – 40% The World – 2%

Do you know…

Human Relations Commission

Communication is verbal and non-verbal - 30% is verbal (words, tone, pace, volume) - 70% is non-verbal (body language, facial

expressions) Mis-communication Same behavior (non-verbal) means different

things in different cultures. Same words (verbal) may mean different

things in different cultures.

Managing Cross-Cultural Communication

As our world becomes “smaller”, the risk of offending and being offended becomes greater.

Definition of behavior: The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli.

What does that behavior mean?

As you are talking to someone, what does it mean if that person won’t look you in the eye?

What does it mean when someone is smiling and nodding to you as you are talking?

What does that behavior mean?

What does it mean when two people of the same sex are walking down the street holding hands?

What does that behavior mean?

Reverend Eric Law

R = take RESPONSIBILITY for what you say and feel without blaming others

E = use EMPATHETIC listening S = be SENSITIVE to differences in communication

styles P = PONDER what you hear and feel before you

speak E = EXAMINE your own assumptions and

perceptions C = keep CONFIDENTIALITY T = TRUST the other to speak and listen with

integrity

RESPECT

Human Relations Commission

Be sensitive and aware of others

around you

We all have some

prejudice

Consciously decide not to act on stereotypes

Acknowledge your own fear

about confronting prejudice

Dealing with Differences

Human Relations Commission

Do not tolerate racial, sexual, disability jokes, innuendos, pictures or gestures. What you permit, you promote.

Try not to preach

The problems of other employees may have

nothing to do with race, sex, disability, etc. but

may be caused by misunderstandings

Seek information and talk to others who are different

from you

Dealing with Differences

OAAC

Several students in your class are from the same ethnic group. They often speak to each other in their native language. Some of your English speaking students have complained that they don’t think the others should be speaking their native language in the classroom. When they walk in a room, the non-native speakers start whispering or laughing. They are sure that the people from the same ethnic group are talking about them. In fact, you have observed this behavior.

Vignette #1

OAAC

Think of a recent feedback situation where you gave feedback to an employee or co-worker from a different background.

1. I built a relationship first. 2. I was positive, telling what I wanted, not

what I didn’t want. 3. I gave feedback in a low key and private way 4. I assured the individual of my respect for

her/him. 5. I made observations about behaviors and

conditions, not judgments about the person.

Intercultural Feedback Checklist

Several workers at your construction site approach you to make you aware of a safety issue. There is a union carpenter on the jobsite, who happens to be completely deaf. There is a tower crane that picks material daily, as well as numerous other obstacles on the job site. This deaf person is making them nervous and fearful for their safety, how do you respond?

Vignette #2

Human Relations Commission

What group do you think is most discriminated against?

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends. Maya Angelou

In closing…

Questions?