...Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal Equality and diversity in employment relations: do we practise what we preach? Jane Holgate Sue Abbott Nicolina Kamenou Josie Kinge Jane Parker Susan Sayce Jacqueline Sinclair Laura Williams Article information: To cite this document: Jane Holgate Sue Abbott Nicolina Kamenou Josie Kinge Jane Parker Susan Sayce Jacqueline Sinclair Laura Williams, (2012),"Equality and diversity in employment relations: do we practise what we preach?", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, Vol. 31 Iss 4 pp. 323 - 339 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02610151211223021 Downloaded on: 01 December 2014, At: 02:26 (PT) References: this document contains references to 46 other documents. To copy this document: permissions@emeraldinsight.com The fulltext of this document has been downloaded 3118 times since 2012* Downloaded by UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER At 02:26 01 December 2014 (PT) Users who downloaded this article also downloaded: C.W. Von Bergen, Barlow Soper, John A. Parnell, (2005),"Workforce diversity and organisational performance", Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 24 Iss 3/4 pp. 1-16 http:// dx.doi.org/10.1108/02610150510788033 Vidhi Agrawal, Vidhi Agrawal, (2012),"Managing the diversified team: challenges and strategies for improving performance", Team Performance Management: An International Journal, Vol. 18 Iss 7/8 pp. 384-400 http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13527591211281129...
Words: 10252 - Pages: 42
...Introduction Equality and diversity in the workplace has become a central topic in the debate within the human resource management literature. Traditionally, society has been divided into different social classes, which arise from different aspects such as access to material resources, access to education and employment opportunity. These divisions in class differences have reflected and have fundamental influence over employment relationships (Williams and Adam-Smith, 2009). However, inequality nowadays is more complex. It has gone beyond the issue of class differences, thus the lack of equality and non-discrimination framework impedes the progress of equality and diversity in contemporary organisations (Fawcett Report, 2013). The presented paper builds on the existing literature on the topic of equality and diversity in the workplace, and aims to examine the role of trade unions, governments and human resource managers in promoting equality and diversity within organisations. Particular difficulties of advancing equality in practice are investigated and solutions to overcome these issues are discussed. Overall, the paper is structured into three main sections. To begin, a short outline of different approaches used in addressing equality and diversity will be considered. The first main section highlights the role of the stakeholders in promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. The second section evaluates numerous challenges preventing the promotion of equality in practice...
Words: 3310 - Pages: 14
...Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the business case for ethnic diversity in the British National Health Service (NHS). It seeks to contextualise issues around diversity within the current political environment, and identify the barriers to diversity in the NHS. The business case has been very strongly argued as justification for introducing both managing diversity and equal opportunity initiatives - here the paper examines the inconsistencies of using that argument, and maintains that the only justification worth presenting is that based on (deontological) moral arguments. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is conceptual in nature exploring the respective cases for diversity using a broad range of the available literature brought together as part of a rapid evidence assessment. It does so in order to make some far-reaching claims about the future justifications for active diversification of senior management in key public sector institutions. Findings - The distinctions between the business and moral cases are false, in that both have ethical reference points. However, the business case is not only difficult to translate to public sector institutions; there are also evidential problems with its adoption. In light of this the conclusion here is that the moral (deontological) case is the only one that has any long term value for proponents of diversity. Originality/value - The value of this paper is that it examines the confusion that surrounds different cases...
Words: 9347 - Pages: 38
...Introduction The aim of this paper is to critique how the print media present contemporary human resource management (HRM) issues as part of an individual class assessment. HRM is basically how human resources are managed in an organisation. The chosen topic from the list is called Employee Relations. There are three areas within this topic that will be discussed and these are; equal opportunities, discrimination and diversity. Firstly the paper will summarise a recent media article on the related area, outline the reason for choosing the article and finally, critically analyse each one independently. The paper will conclude with a brief interpretation of what I have learned while researching Employee Relations. Now let the assignment begin with a look at the first of the three media articles. Media Article 1 Summary (Appendix 1) The first of the media articles According to Hennessy (2013, Oct 11th) is about a Consultancy Association which blacklisted many Irish people in Britain from the 1970’s to the 1980’s. The company was headed by a man called Ian Kerr. He had access to information which was confidential regarding certain individuals. It was details of workers trade union history, involvement in disputes and opinions about their health and safety. Construction companies used his services and it has recently been found that many of these individuals were discriminated against because of the confidential information that was provided by the association. ...
Words: 2175 - Pages: 9
...Grutter V. Bollinger Research Paper 2 Abstract Barbara Grutter (plaintiff) which is a resident of Michigan who was denied admissions into the University of Michigan Law School. Lee Bollinger (defendant) was president of the University of Michigan. Grutter filed this suit because the University had discriminated against the basis of race. Supreme Court ruled that the use of affirmative action in school admissions is constitutional if it treats race as some factor. Is affirmative action still necessary for guaranteeing equal access to educational opportunities at elite universities and graduate schools? Should admissions decisions be based solely on academic criteria and merit? Key Words: affirmative action, Grutter V. Bollinger, and diversity. Grutter V. Bollinger Research Paper 3 Affirmative Action in Education Affirmative action was formed more than fifty years ago....
Words: 1526 - Pages: 7
...HR Policies & Practices: Gender Diversity, Equality, & Leadership Abstract The number of women obtaining higher levels of education and positions in their careers has increased, but the number of women obtaining management and executive positions has remained stagnant. Human resource policies and practices’ follow ethical guidelines, but in practicality are more difficult to apply in the workforce. Human resource practices and policies may be influenced by the overall mindset of a company. The barriers that prevent women from achieving management and executive positions are the same barriers that prevent human resource policies and practices’ from being applied. The gaps in gender equality and wages, created by the barriers, can be discouraging to women from achieving high-level positions. Overcoming the barriers is a task in undoing the mindset that has been instilled deeply within society. Introduction Studies have shown that companies who promote female gender equality surpass their competitors on every measure of profitability, yet women are failing to attain high-level positions. Possible reasons for the persistent wage and gender gap between men and women in senior leadership positions can be found by reviewing current data on women in the workplace, studies on the correlation between gender diversity in senior management and company performance, and literature on gender behavioral differences in the workplace. Women play an increasingly significant role...
Words: 2524 - Pages: 11
...1.3 Structure of Report and Methodology …………………………...6 2. Women in Leadership Positions ……………………………………6 2.1 Women in Leadership in Indian Industry ………………………...6 2.2 Women in Leadership in world Industry ………………………….7 3. Higher education in women in India ……………………………….8 3.1 Sequential Growth ………………………………………………….8 3.2 Society perceptions and limitations ………………………………9 3.3 Government Initiatives ……………………………………………10 3.4 Economic Considerations ………………………………………..10 4. Carrier Family Balancing …………………………………………...10 4.1 Gender Discrimination ……………………………………………11 4.2 Historical Gender Bias ……………………………………………12 4.3 Duties of motherhood and Homemaker ………………………..12 5. Diversity Management Programs …………………………………12 5.1 Gender Diversity …………………………………………………..13 5.2 Diversity as a result of Religion, caste and Education ………..13 5.3 Managing Diversity ……………………………………………….13 6. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………14 References …………………………………………………………….15 Page i Table of Figures Figure 1: Positions held by women in Fortune 500 companies................8 Figure 2: Ratio of women directors............................................................9 Figure 3: Enrolment share (girls) in higher education…...........................10 Page ii Table of Abbreviations CEO MD I.T. MNC GDP GER B.E. Ph.D. B.Ed NPE Chief Executive Officer Managing Director Information Technology Multi...
Words: 3171 - Pages: 13
...The article “Gender, Pay and Work Satisfaction at a UK University” by Maria Smith is an exhaustive quantitative study of a particular state employer. The paper analyzes the facts and figures on salary and examines results from a staff satisfaction survey held at a UK University (University A) and discusses the ‘paradox of the contended female worker’. This paradox states that although women earn less than men, their satisfaction with the payment seems to be higher than in the men’s case – despite of disadvantages such as job security and content, promotion opportunities and sexual harassment (Crosby, 1982). Also, the author explains that these gaps vary from institution to institution. The purpose of the article is to contribute to the small amount of the existing job satisfaction research for men and women working at higher education institutions. The study described in the paper focuses on the satisfaction levels of two groups of University A staff – the administrative and academic teaching staff. Despite all efforts in the past, gender pay gap has persisted to the present time and takes place even at higher education institutions in the UK, where a clear agenda on pay equality, as negotiated by various organizations and unions, should exist (Smith, 2008, p. 622). Still, studies show the existence of pay gaps between genders and conclude that women have less promotion opportunities and a lower chance to earn as much as their equally ranked male colleagues (Blackaby et al...
Words: 2433 - Pages: 10
...accommodation of linguistic and culture diversified students (Gilbert, Compton, Fuchs, Fuchs, Bouton, Barquero and Cho, 2013). This therefore directly affects the performance of such a classroom in respect to methods of teaching applied. Henry, Castek, OʼByrne and Zawilinski (2012) states that: for an efficient and effective teaching of such a classroom, individual needs of each student in such a class need to be successfully met. This then calls for a thorough research on the incorporation of such diversity with an aim of improving on classroom performance (Utley, 2011). This research article being based on this need tries to give precise and easy implementable strategies to help in such a situation. It seeks to assist the teaching fraternity of diversified institutions manage to deliver effectively and with ease on their core mandate. This paper contains strategies for improving on performance in a linguistically diversified classroom. The outline of these pillars appear in this sequential order: acknowledgement of the diversity, connection with the students, establishment of cultural collaborations throughout the school, adoption of culturally responsive teaching and provision of mentorship support to the students. The outline of these strategies contains inclusions of literature reviews to depict the effectiveness of these policies. Strategies for Improving On Performance of a Diversified Classroom 1....
Words: 598 - Pages: 3
...Diversity Education: An Essential Educational Opportunity Diversity education provides educational opportunities that nurture and maintain an inclusive and diverse community, promoting equality for people of all cultures, ethnicities, and religions. The Association of American Colleges and Universities supports higher education faculty and students to partake in programs that advance civic learning and democratic engagement, global learning, and engagement with diversity to prepare students for socially responsible action in today's interdependent but unequal world (AACU). Diversity courses, programs, or interactions in higher education are positively effective in improving students’ understanding and respect of our multicultural society, and are an essential component to educational institutions. Diversity education fosters a broad range of enlightenment and competency, including those of learning and democracy. Learning outcomes include active thinking skills, and intellectual engagement and motivation, while democracy outcomes were not limited to perspective taking, citizenship engagement, racial and cultural understanding, and judgment of the compatibility among different groups (Gurin, P., & Lopez, G.). It is said that personal and social identity develop best in situations during late adolescence and early adulthood, when one is able to experiment with different social roles before making commitments to groups, ideas, and a philosophy of life (Gurin, P.,...
Words: 1277 - Pages: 6
...American men between the ages of 25 to 29 were incarcerated, as compared to 2.4% of Hispanic men and 1.2% of non-Hispanic White men” (DeVry, 2014, p. 3). There is an epidemic in today’s society that negatively impact African American men in the justice system. Equality is a right that every United States (U.S.) citizen should be afforded whether in the work system or the justice system. With African American men being treated unfairly, it can directly affect my friends, neighbors, or co-workers. According to Fernando (2003), “Cultural diversity is the term given to a range of societies or peoples, with different origins, religions and traditions, all living in a specific region” (p. 1). The U. S. have a large population of different cultures and they have form a community which they live in and practice their cultural beliefs. As for African American, this group has communities that are populated with their group as well. This topic is important to cultural diversity because this is a particular group that are being singled out which is related to racial profiling. This is a diverse group that is being treated unfairly by law enforcement. They are a part of the minority with the majority is in control. This paper will provide information dealing with the frequency, reasons, end results, and propose resolutions that can end this crisis. Especially, finding out what have caused this outrageous law enforcement practice against...
Words: 453 - Pages: 2
...What We Know About the Development of Intercultural Maturity Student’s Name Institution What We Know About the Development of Intercultural Maturity Cultural diversity is the opposite of monoculture. It only refers to diverse culture or quality of various (Banks, 1997). Cultural diversity also means respect between different cultures that exist. It sometimes implies the existence of a variety of cultures like what we have in the world today, whereby particular culture occupy a particular region in the world (Banks, 1998). Globalization has been said to have had adverse effects on diversity in the world today (Banks, 1997). Culture influences how society members share experiences, heir values, fears, worries and hopes, culture moulds the perception and understanding of a community about the world. Culture enhances equitability and justice in the society (Banks, 1997). My goal in this paper is to discuss cultural diversity and particularly what we know about the development of intercultural maturity (Banks, 1998). Students from diverse social class, regions, ethnic and racial groups always perform and achieve differently in the schools (Banks, 1997). This act leads us to the need for equality in the education system; this will in turn close of the diversity gap. Intercultural Maturity is developed by formulation and implementation of multicultural education policies that will abolish culturally based education systems. Culturally biased education systems...
Words: 587 - Pages: 3
...Definition of Diversity It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing 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. P1 Racism First of all racism is a criminal offence that is extremely offensive and can be taken up for some serious jail time, racism is where someone has a form of hatred towards someone for the colour of their skin, they can show this by all kinds of ways. One of the many ways that people use nowadays is by telling jokes, although some people might find these quite ‘funny’ people can take extreme offence to this, they have a right to. Also they could assault someone because of their race, some are singled out, bullied because of it, which also leading the person to think they have something wrong with them and they could see themselves as different, therefore if they see themselves as different they’re whole family. Racist Getting off the subject of Racism, although Racism sounds quite similar to the word Racist they are quite different. A racist is someone who uses racism fairly often, if someone was a racist you would know about it, a racist isn’t someone who tells a racist joke every now and then a racist would probably have tattoo’s to show what they think they are superior against, such as someone who uses Racist words in most sentences. However the...
Words: 2982 - Pages: 12
...HOLTE VISUAL and PERFORMING ARTS COLLEGE Centre 20131 BTEC -- BTEC Level 3 National: Health & Social Care | | | |Unit 2: |Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care | | | | |Learner Name: | | |Issue Date: |Completion Date: | |6TH September 2012 |18TH October 2012 | |Checklist: | |Task: | |Task 1: P1 | |Task 2: P2 | |Task 3: P3 ...
Words: 847 - Pages: 4
...What We Know About the Development of Intercultural Maturity Student’s Name Institution What We Know About the Development of Intercultural Maturity Cultural diversity is the opposite of monoculture. It only refers to diverse culture or quality of various (Banks, 1997). Cultural diversity also means respect between different cultures that exist. It sometimes implies the existence of a variety of cultures like what we have in the world today, whereby particular culture occupy a particular region in the world (Banks, 1998). Globalization has been said to have had adverse effects on diversity in the world today (Banks, 1997). Culture influences how society members share experiences, heir values, fears, worries and hopes, culture moulds the perception and understanding of a community about the world. Culture enhances equitability and justice in the society (Banks, 1997). My goal in this paper is to discuss cultural diversity and particularly what we know about the development of intercultural maturity (Banks, 1998). Students from diverse social class, regions, ethnic and racial groups always perform and achieve differently in the schools (Banks, 1997). This act leads us to the need for equality in the education system; this will in turn close of the diversity gap. Intercultural Maturity is developed by formulation and implementation of multicultural education policies that will abolish culturally based education systems. Culturally biased education systems...
Words: 587 - Pages: 3