Working
Environment ( Workplace diversity)
What is diversity in the workplace?
Diversity in the workplace refers to an organization that
intentionally employs a workforce comprised of individuals of varying gender,
religion, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, and other
attributes.
Diversity in the workplace leads to a plethora of benefits –
both from an internal and external perspective. However, that doesn’t mean
implementing diversity initiatives at work isn’t without its unique set of
challenges. We’ll review both sides of the equation in the sections
below.
The benefits of diversity in the workplace
When you hire people from diverse backgrounds,
nationalities, and cultures, you’re bringing a fresh array of perspectives to
the table. This can lead to benefits like better problem solving and increased
productivity. Think of it as a scavenger hunt: will you find more success by
sending everyone on the team in the same direction? Or will you gather
information more quickly by having a team that splits up strategically?
Employees are looking for space where they can grow, feel
accepted, and be challenged. That’s why a company that embraces diversity will
attract a wider range of candidates who are looking for a progressive place to
work. As a result, diverse companies are more likely to attract the best
talent.
On the flip side, a company that also actively seeks diversity
in candidates will have access to a wider talent pool. While you should always
be selective about who you hire, being overly picky about traits that don’t
matter will significantly decrease the number of people you can even consider.
That’s why embracing diversity in background, thought, ethnicity, and other
factors are key to finding good hires.
Workplace diversity leads to innovation. If you think about
it, the correlation makes sense. If you have a homogeneous group of people,
chances are that everything – from their thought patterns to life experiences
to problem-solving skills – are likely to be similar as well. And sameness
doesn’t lead to creative solutions. On the other hand, a heterogeneous group of
employees will contribute unique perspectives that can lead to breakthroughs in
thought.
Diversity and inclusion go hand-in-hand. When you create a
work environment where employees see a representation of a variety of cultures,
backgrounds, and ways of thinking, they’re more likely to feel comfortable
being themselves. This, in turn, leads to happier, more productive
employees. There are many studies that show diverse teams simply perform
better and, as a result, bring in more profits.
References
Lee, S., 2020. Diversity In The Workplace -
Benefits And Challenges - Culture Amp Blog. [online] Culture Amp Blog. Available at:
<https://www.cultureamp.com/blog/diversity-in-the-workplace-benefits-and-challenges/>
[Accessed 9 July 2020].
Tapp, F., 2020. 7 Ways Diversity Creates A
Happier, Healthier Workplace. [online] Birchbox United States. Available at:
<https://www.birchbox.com/magazine/article/7-ways-diversity-happier-workplace>
[Accessed 9 July 2020].
This is really important think. So what do you think about this. Is this good enough to establish to your company.
ReplyDeleteworkplace diversity boosts creativity. Think about it this way: sameness breeds sameness. If we employ only employees who hail from similar cultures, perspectives, and socioeconomic circumstances – then you’re limiting your creativity and innovation. Conversely, employees from diverse backgrounds will bring diverse solutions to achieve a common goal – your goal.
DeleteHi Naleen,The work environment is a key factor in improving the job satisfaction of any employee. what do you think about?
ReplyDeleteNaleen,what are the disadvantages of diversity in the workplace?
ReplyDeleteHiring managers focus on leadership qualities too often.
DeleteDiversity in the workplace seeks out experts who excel in their chosen career, job function, and team environment. The goal is to create a series of strengths that allows everyone to grow over time.
Diversity in the workplace can create too many opinions.
When hiring managers focus on diversity, then they are creating a series of differing opinions that can make it easier to find the right journey to take for forward progress.
Naleen, How do you promote diversity in you workplace?
ReplyDeleteWe can promote below things that what organizations can do
ReplyDelete1. Events
Organize events and activities that celebrate employee differences. Celebrate different holidays and identities.
2. Blog
Give your employees a voice and ask them to write a blog about what diversity in the workplace means to them.
3. Career site
Highlight your company’s commitment to workplace diversity on your career site. Including just one simple sentence could mean a world of difference to a potential diverse candidate!
4. Web and print materials
Feature photos and quotes of diverse people on your online and printed company materials. Make sure to include your own employees and customers.
5. Internal communication channel
Set up an internal communication channel dedicated to the topic of diversity. It could be a column in your company newsletter, Slack channel, forum topic, etc.
6. Volunteering
Encourage your employees to volunteer in organizations that serve the needs of underrepresented segments of the population.