Diversity

 Fellow Americans, we must ask ourselves: Do we truly believe that ALL red-state residents are ignorant racist knuckle-dragging NASCAR-obsessed cousin-marrying roadkill-eating tobacco-juice dribbling gun-fondling religious fanatic rednecks; or the ALL blue state residents are god-less unpatriotic pierced-nosed Volvo-driving France-loving left-wing communist latte-sucking tofu-chomping holistic-wacko neurotic vegan weenie perverts? Yes. This is called “diversity,” and it is why we are such a great nation – a nation that has given the world both nuclear weapons AND SpongeBob Squarepants. (Dave Barry)

Diversity Management

   Q: If I tell you that my company has a diverse workforce, what do you think that I mean?

Q: If I say that my workforce is ethnically diverse, is that the same thing?

How do companies interpret ‘diversity’?

Diversity - Defined

  Definition: …the mgmt of people on the basis of (but is not limited to):       Gender; race; age; educational background; sexual orientation or preference; physical abilities or qualities; social status; religion and/or economic status; marital status/ family status; lifestyle,…

Diversity is ...

“An inclusive process of appreciating what individuals with different backgrounds bring to the organization.” -Hattie Hill Enterprises, Inc.

“The condition of being different.” Random House College Dictionary:

Q. -Why does workforce diversity exist?

 Pride in cultural heritage  Stronger religious orientations  Immigration to the U.S.

 Higher birth rates among ethnic minorities  More women entering the workforce  Population aging  Increased recognition that the disabled can function effectively in society

and the workforce is changing

 Women  Minorities  Older Workers  Undereducated  Workers with Disabilities

Key Dimensions Of Diversity

Religion Physical Challenges Values Family Status Workstyle Age Sexual Orientation Socio-Economic Status Gender Merging Culture Education Level Appearance Work/Life Balance Marital Status Professional Background Race

Diversity Management

 Goal:  High performance organization in which every individual can perform to his/her potential.

 Benefits:  maintaining and increasing market share  reducing costs  increasing productivity  improving the quality of management  avoiding potential legal issues

Americans with Disabilities Act

 Disability is  any physical of mental impairment that limits one of life’s major activities   or having a history of such impairment or being perceived as having such impairment   ~43 million Americans are covered (20%) ~29 million are between the ages 16 & 64  Employers must make:  “reasonable accommodations”

Diversity Management

Census Estimates

 By 2050:  U.S. population = ~395 million  (in 1995, 263 million)  Hispanic Americans   ~25 % of population total greater than African Americans, Asian Americans & American Indians combined

Areas Affected by Diversity

          Ambition Work ethic:     Time consciousness & use Personal space Cleanliness Methods of conducting business Problem-solving methods Group consensus vs. individual decisions Group conflicts Relationship building Assertiveness Ethics View of women Style of leadership

Diversity Affects:

           Recruitment Interviewing Disciplinary actions Rules of conduct Dress codes Perceptions of time Work procedures Motivation for professional development Counseling Work schedule Role of women in operation

Steps for Fostering Diversity

 Seek out issues regarding div.

 Strengthen top mgt commitment to div.

 Choose solutions that balance div.  Set goals for div.