Diversity in the Workplace

1. Diversity in the Workplace

2. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Objectives • Understand why diversity awareness in the workplace is important • Understand how stereotypes, prejudice, and other “isms” interfere with our understanding of and ability to work with people who are different • Explore strategies to prevent behaviors that are a barrier to valuing diversity in the workplace

3. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Approximately one in three U.S. residents is a minority Women comprise 46% of the current U.S. labor force and are projected to account for 47% by 2014 17% of today’s workforce is 55 or older; it is estimated that this may increase to 24% by the year 2020 Foreign-born workers make up 15% of the U.S. workforce 51.8% of families are dual-career families It is projected that Asian–Americans will comprise 8 % of the total population by 2050 There are 44,000 black physicians and surgeons, 79,400 postsecondary teachers, 45,200 lawyers, and 49,300 chief executives About 33% of women over age 25 attained a bachelor’s or higher degree (compared to 26% of men) Why Diversity Awareness is Important

4. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Diversity in the U.S. - “Fitting In” and “Standing Out” • The Melting Pot - Blend cultures and races to achieve a common identity - “Melting” together into one common American race - Value on “sameness” • The Salad Bowl - Sameness is neither ideal nor possible - Movement towards cultural pluralism - Americans are comprised of many different cultures, races

5. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Understanding Valuing Differences in the Global Workplace • Initially focused on single corporate culture valuing sameness • Laws passed to protect against discrimination based on differences • Understanding and valuing differences in the workplace

6. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Stereotypes, Prejudice, and “Isms” • Stereotypes- Fixed or conventional notions that deny individuality • Prejudice - Opinions or feelings that were preconceived or formed beforehand or without any conscious knowledge, thought, or reason • Other “Isms” - A regard for all members of a particular group as the same and in an unfavorable light

7. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Reducing and Eliminating Stereotypes, Prejudice, and “Isms” • Increase awareness • Examine beliefs • Educate yourself • Experience other cultures

8. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Interrupting Prejudice What could you say or do in the following situations to interrupt prejudice? • Another employee gathers a group of peers together and tells a dirty joke that is quite disparaging of women. • Someone comments that he/she avoids spending leisure time in the downtown area because of all the minorities. • A new employee in your group mentions that s/he lives in an area well known as a neighborhood where a lot of gays and lesbians live. Other employees in your group begin to call her/him “homo.” • When an employee says s/he is not interested in going out for a night of hard drinking with the group, other employees give him/her a hard time. • You have a new teammate who is over 50 and has snow-white hair. You overhear other employees calling him “Gramps” and asking him how someone his age can keep up with the fast-paced technological advances.

9. eSlide - P4065 - WorkLife4You Diversity Awareness “People and their differences make up the foundation of an organization’s ability to develop broad perspectives and to approach business problems in new and creative ways.” Barbara Walker, Valuing Differences

10. Let WorkLife4You Make Your Life a Little Easier! Contact WorkLife4You 24/7: 1-877-WL4-NOAA (1-877-954-6622) (TTY 800-873-1322) http://www.worklife4you.com Look for the “Already a member?” box — Not a member yet? Follow the “Register” link and enter Registration Code: NOAA 10 10