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