...Effective Diversity Management Essay Workplace Diversity: A Contribution to Organisational Success Abstract Workplace diversity is vital for any organisation. The benefits diversity can bring are able to drastically change the performance of an organisation. The following essay explains the essence of workplace diversity, describes the difficulties that may arise in diversity management, and presents the key benefits that it can bring to an organisation. With these issues explained, it is evident that organisations can benefit from workplace diversity and how it can make them successful. Workplace Diversity: A Contribution to Organisational Success Workplace diversity incorporates more than it seems at a glance. Diversity presumes mainly cultural, racial, and gender differences, because these are the most visible distinctions between people. There are, however, many other characteristics in which employees differ. Rice (2010) defines diversity as “differing cultures, languages, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, religious sects, abilities, classes, ages, and national origins of individuals in an institution, workplace, or community.” (p. 96). As far as the workplace is concerned, diversity is crucial for it. Employees of different cultures, races, ages, classes and backgrounds can make their own unique contributions to the development and performance of an organisation. This is why numerous “business and governmental organisations have implemented workforce...
Words: 2358 - Pages: 10
...What is diversity? Diversity is a perception that is based on individual acceptance and respect. It is an understanding that each and every individual are unique and different on many levels. In short, diversity refers to the physical differences in people and also the non-physical differences. Diversity is built on the principles of equal employment opportunity to include inherent differences such as gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural / linguistic background, sexual orientation and / or gender identity, intellectual and / or physical ability (Department of Immigration and Citizenship, 2011). Diversity is becoming an integral part of life and more importantly at the workplace. Everyday diversity is increasing in organisations. Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world: One in two Australians is either born overseas or has a parent from another country (Diversity Council Australia, 2013). In the late 1960s, more than half of Australia’s immigrants came from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Today, these countries represent only 15% of immigrants whereas 25% are from various parts of Asia (McShane, et al., 2013). At a workplace everybody knows that there is no such thing as a homogeneous work team any more. In at least 70% of all international companies, the work force will be a mixture of diverse cultures, religions and races. In such a scenario, it becomes important to promote ethnic, social, cultural and gender-related diversity in the workplace...
Words: 1408 - Pages: 6
...Copyright ©2011 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course prepares students to address the concepts of personnel development as managers. Students learn criteria for developing effective job analysis, appraisal systems, and appropriate career development plans for employees. Other topics include personnel selection, employee compensation, benefits, training, workplace diversity, discipline, employee rights, unions, and management behaviors. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. The discussion question points are now combined with the participation points for each week. You, as the instructor, may create a separate line item for discussion question points if you choose. Please note that some assignment points may have changed. Course Materials Cascio, W. F. (2010). Managing human resources: Productivity, quality of work life, profits (8th ed.) New York...
Words: 1154 - Pages: 5
...Challenges of Diversity in the Military | Morgan Marais, Frank Porter, Cheryl Cameron, Larry Franklin1Q-HRL303X-A1-07January 28, 2016 | Abstract The problem of managing today’s diverse workforce, in my opinion, stems from the inability of humanity to comprehend the personal prejudice attitudes and the failure to see past another individual’s race, gender, or sexual orientation to see the positive potential and the ability to perform the job. “Immigration, worker migration (guest workers), and gender and ethnic differences continue to change, dramatically, the composition of the workforce” (Barak, 2013). The US Armed Forces is home to virtually every possible ethnic and religious group, a team with whom has a single purpose to protect our nation, to fight for and preserve our freedom. Introduction In the military, diversity is a complex subject, both conceptually and regarding managerial and practical implications. This is one of the most significant and challenging tasks that human resource management, and military leaders, over the past two or three decades, have had to face. Recruitment, training, and maintaining employment is challenging traditional military attitudes, norms, beliefs and values. Human resources have adapted, and revised programs, philosophies, practices, and policies. Diversity (or heterogeneity), in all its forms, is a topic of contemporary concern and debate, as well as an influence on transformation and change; which gives challenges for...
Words: 2520 - Pages: 11
...Culture plays a significant role in influencing the ways in which people are managed. This is the reason why cultural differences mandate different management practices. It is believed that Human Resource Management (HRM) practices are the most vulnerable to the cultural differences having significant implications for the appropriateness and design. International HRM has proposed that cultural differences result in varying individual preferences and perceptions that give shape to organizational behavior along with work motivation; conflicts; communications; defining goals; work-orientation; rewarding and performance appraisal, management styles and decision making. Some of the economic theories have also realized the significance of culture in giving shape to behaviors of institutions and individuals. It has been proposed that other than formal, the context of informal institution influences governance structures which coordinate the individual actions taking place within the firms. The significance of studying cultural differences with respect to HRM policies and practices in relevant practices and literature is twofold. Rising cultural diversity due to internationalization of global economy indicates that the global organizations are the most challenging context for implementation and designing of the integrated and unusual HRM practices and policies which address the cross-cultural concerns. Cultural differences on the other hand are significant for studying HRM practices...
Words: 810 - Pages: 4
...appearance (News Ltd, 2014). This is just one of the many obstacles women face when striving for equality in the workplace. This paper will explore the disadvantages women face in the workplace, including the gender pay gap, the under representation of women in senior leadership roles and sexual harassment. A plan to address these disadvantages will be outlined and justification of why it will work will be provided. At the outbreak of world war one far fewer women than men participated in work, and they tended to be lower-paid domestic occupations, as the women’s main role was seen to be in the home. The withdrawal of approximately half a million men, most of who had been in the workforce, still did not result in their direct replacement with women. Women’s contribution to the workforce rose, but the increase was in traditional areas of women work, for example in the clothing and footwear industry. Unions were unwilling to let women join the workforce in greater numbers in traditional male roles as they feared it would lead to a lowering of wages (Adam-Smith, 1996). Since the early 1900’s the country has come a long way and developed at a rate faster than anyone expected, take for example technology, people are walking around with the computing power that put a man on the moon in their pocket, yet in 2014 there is still gender inequality in the workplace. Lack of pay equity and equal opportunities is an issue for every women in the Australian workforce, and sex inequality...
Words: 2083 - Pages: 9
...Assignment 3: Agency’s Laws and Ethics of Hiring a Diverse Workforce Rodney Freeman Strayer University PAD 530: Public Personnel Management Professor: Danette O’Neal November 21, 2014 In this assignment, I will be continuing my consulting for the Office of Population Affairs. My continuation of writing will analyze at least (2) laws or court decision that has implications of the agency’s personnel management. I will analyze (3) three major factors why the agency should address and (3) major factors why agency should not address Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender in their recruitment and hiring practices. As a consultant I will evaluate agency’s approach to ethics and diversity training programs provided action the agency could take to improve in the areas of recruiting and training a diverse workforce. Laws Affecting the Agency: The two (2) laws that I have researched are both dealing with the Title X Family Planning and The Federal Employment Discrimination Law. The Title X family planning program was enacted in 1970 as Title X of The Public Health Service Act (Public Law 91-572) Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Program. The Family Planning concern with the compliance with State reporting laws. That reads; “Notwithstanding any other provisions of laws, no provider of services under Title X of the Public Health Services Act shall be exempt from any state law requiring...
Words: 1763 - Pages: 8
...keep for reference * Then, go to www.vision2learn.com and send your completed Assessment to your tutor via your My Study area – make sure it is clearly marked with your name, the course title and the Unit and Assessment number. Please note that this Assessment document has 12 pages and is made up of 3 Parts. Name: James Bloom Part 1: The meaning of equality and diversity in the workplace This section will help you to evidence Learning Outcome 1: Understand the meaning of equality and diversity in the workplace. Learning objective | Place in Assessment | 1.1 Describe what equality and diversity means to organisations in relation to: * recruitment * pay * conditions * promotion opportunities | Question 1, Page 3 | 1.2 Describe the benefits to an organisation of having a diverse workforce | Question 2, Page 4 | 1.3 Describe how organisations can promote and maintain equality and diversity in the workplace | Question 3, Page 4 | 1.4 Describe the difficulties that can arise in trying to establish and maintain a diverse workplace | Question 4, Page 5 | 1.5 Describe how equality and diversity can be promoted and maintained by employees | Question 4, Page 5 | ------------------------------------------------- IF YOU ARE NOT IN EMPLOYMENT OR WORK OF ANY KIND, USE THESE CASE STUDIES TO HELP YOU ANSWER QUESTION 2 AND QUESTION 4 IN SECTION 1. IF YOU ARE IN EMPLOYMENT, YOU CAN BASE YOUR ANSWER ON THE ORGANISATION YOU WORK FOR. -------------------------------------------------...
Words: 3353 - Pages: 14
... | | |HRM/531 | | |Human Capital Management | Copyright ©2011 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course prepares students to address the concepts of personnel development as managers. Students learn criteria for developing effective job analysis, appraisal systems, and appropriate career development plans for employees. Other topics include personnel selection, employee compensation, benefits, training, workplace diversity, discipline, employee rights, unions, and management behaviors. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Cascio, W. F. (2010). Managing...
Words: 3395 - Pages: 14
...This paper is focused on understanding diversity management by the principles of Human Resource Management (HRM). Researches throw light on the fact that there are still problems existing at workplaces regarding equality, and HRM has focused only on just meeting up with the requirements of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), there has been negligence visible in managing diversity in an organization. The proposed framework here is of how to manage workforce with diversity and especially when people with disability are involved in the workforce of a company. In such condition, special care needs to be taken in order to make them feel at par with other employees by providing them with equal opportunities. It is for any organization to attract,...
Words: 3783 - Pages: 16
...that having a diverse heterogenic workplace has many benefits. I will be focusing on diversity in employee cultural and gender. Due to the increasingly diverse nature of Australia’s workforce, organisations will have to use strategic tactics such as successful Human Resource Planning, in order to attract, select and retain a diverse workplace. A company with employees that bring different perspectives is presented to be able in finding more efficient ways to operate and grow (Wojcik 2012). Diversity programs enhance the ability of an organisation to meet client needs, which can improve its profits (Wojcik 2012) Dwyer et.al (2001) discusses the potential benefits of gender diversity, such as novel insights, perspectives, creativity, and experience appear to foster and support expansion into new markets. Finding a similar association between racial diversity, growth, and firm performance, This insight will assist me to form an argument to why organisations should select a diverse workforce. Management teams with higher proportion of women promote more interpersonal channels of communication, employee participation in decision-making and monitor feedback and development more intensely (Melero, E 2010) Communities and consumers want to engage with and do business with organisations that reflect themselves and the current population (Lieber 2012). Attracting diverse employees to organisations has a flow on effect on the community. A workplace that embodies respect for all types...
Words: 839 - Pages: 4
...PENSACOLA STATE COLLEGE COURSE: MANAGIIGING DIVERSITY SEMESTER: SUMMER, 2015 INSTRUCTOR: MOLLIE ANDRAE Q 1. Which dimensions of business case for diversity are the most persuasive? Why? No matter which definition you put on work diversity, most organization if not all are acknowledging the importance of making diversity a business consideration. “Our work place is changing and diversity is no longer the exception, it is the norm now. It is good for business and when we achieve unity in diversity, everyone wins”. (Lativin, D.). Changes in the workplace are the result of various shifts in U.S. demographics. Among these are the country’s racial and ethnic makeup. People of color have reached over 100 million, according the U.S. Census Bureau. The dimensions of business case for diversity may vary from organization to organization depending on their priorities but the case for business diversity is somewhat the same across the board. The demographic shift creating a new customer base and workforce is not the only reason to implement diversity initiatives within a company’s business strategy. Increased globalization, improved financial results and employee retention are all part of a growing business case for diversity. To me, one of the most persuasive case for diversity is winning the competition for talent. The United States is the most diverse country in the world and no wonder is so economically successful and world super power as compared to other developed nations...
Words: 1244 - Pages: 5
...Excellence through diversity is one of the Chancellor's goals, yet the term diversity often raises controversy, confusion, and tension. What does it mean? Is it the same as affirmative action? Why should you focus on it? When people think of diversity, they may think first of ethnicity and race, and then gender; however, diversity is much broader than that. In Workforce America! Managing Employee Diversity as a Vital Resource, diversity is defined as “otherness or those human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, yet present in other individuals and groups.” Dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to: age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, religious beliefs, parental status, and work experience (Loden and Rosener 1991, 18-19). It's important to understand how these dimensions affect performance, motivation, success, and interactions with others. Institutional structures and practices that have presented barriers to some dimensions of diversity should be examined, challenged, and removed. Managing diversity is defined as "planning and implementing organizational systems and practices to manage people so that the potential advantages of diversity are maximized while its potential disadvantages are minimized," according to Taylor Cox in "Cultural Diversity in Organizations." Managing...
Words: 4182 - Pages: 17
...“If an HR person is trying to choose people for an organization, knowing their values are very important-if they are not consistent with the organization’s values they are not likely to stay very long.” Professor Rodger Collins The aim of this report is to: • Identify and assess at least 4 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to attracting talent. • Identify and explain at least 3 organisation benefits of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. • Describe at least 3 factors that affect an organisation’s approach to recruitment and selection. • Prepare a Recruitment Authorisation Request to the MD comparing and contrasting the benefits of at least 3 different recruitment methods and three different selection methods. The Identification and Assessment of 4 Factors Which Can Affect an Organisation’s Approach to Attracting Talent Does the vacancy need to be filled? If a member of staff has left or is intending to leave in the near future, can the vacancy be filled by splitting the job between other employees? To investigate the possibility of this a job analysis would be required to gain information from the leaver and line manager via the exit interview process as to the feasibility of absorbing the required tasks into existing employee’s workloads. Why does the vacancy exist? As previously mentioned an exit interview would be carried out by the line manager, the primary aim of the exit interview is to learn reasons for the person's...
Words: 1391 - Pages: 6
...the systematic approach to managing diversity, recruitment and retention are a critical component of diversity management. Summarize the issues involved in recruiting and retaining a culturally diverse workforce. Regarding diverse employees and diverse employees and diverse markets, Canas and Sondak argue that better-performing companies may simply attract the best talent among all groups of workers. Explain the meaning, and discuss whether you agree disagree. Recruiting and retaining a culturally diverse workforce are crucial components for an organization that wants to build and sustain a successful operation. Organization must identify and take necessary action to resolve issues involved in the recruiting and retention process. Some issues involved in recruiting a culturally diverse workforce include the lack of access that women and minorities have to informal sources of job information. As a result, they are forced to rely on the information presented in formal job ads to form their expectation of the job and the organization. To resolve this issue, organization must consider more practical issues and move away from word of mouth and the organization’s website as effective tool for recruiting a diverse workforce. On the other hand, retaining a culturally diverse workforce involve providing comprehensive diversity training to help raise awareness throughout the organization and encourage open, honest conversation about diversity issues. Canas and Sondak’s argument...
Words: 730 - Pages: 3
