Transcript Diversity: Changing workplaces in New Zealand

Diversity: Changing workplaces in New Zealand
Definition of diversity
“… means understanding that each
individual is unique, and recognising 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.”
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html
Dimensions of diversity wheel
Military
Experience
Geographic
Location
Work
Experience
Age
Education
Work
Style
Sexual
Orientation
Ethnic
Heritage
Gender
Income
Mental/Physical
Abilities and
Characteristic
Race
First
Language
Family
Status
Communication
Style
Primary Dimension
Religion
Organisation
Role And Level
Secondary Dimension
1996. Implementing Diversity by Marilyn Loden. Mc-Graw Hill Publishing, Burr Ridge, IL
Business Benefits
• Wider talent pool
• Increased productivity
• Workforce that reflects diverse markets
• Cross functional teams
• Enhanced reputation as preferred place to
work
• Lower absenteeism, sick leave, and
turnover costs
Business challenges
• Communication
• Resistance to change
• Implementation of diversity in the
workplace policies
• Successful management of diversity in
the workplace
Changing workplaces
Some influencing factors include:
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Four generations
Age
Changing family structures
Disability
Growing ethnic and cultural diversity
Current labour market conditions
Auckland demographics
Community for Auckland. The Case for Auckland. (2006)
What do these changes mean to your workplace?
• Beca
Key strategy considerations:
• Clearly linked to business
objectives
• Accountability
• Measurement
• Organisational culture
• Proactive approach
• Champions
What can be done?
• Benchmarking data
• Diversity is a process not a target
• Business case
• Commitment
• Consultation
What some companies are doing
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Setting up diversity groups/councils
and networking groups
Appointing heads of diversity
Having diversity audits and
workshops
Increasing paid parental leave,
measuring and monitoring return to
work rates
Holding cultural awareness days,
offering prayer rooms, introducing
cultural awareness training
Auditing facilities for those with
disabilities eg live remote captioning
for hearing-impaired workers
International staff festivals, art, music
competitions
Something to ponder…..
“Diversity: the art of
thinking independently
together”
Malcolm F Forbes
How can the EEO Trust help?
• Diversity practitioners’ forums
• Presentations
• Newsletters,publications, toolkits
• Library and information requests
• Go to www.eeotrust.org.nz