WORKPLACE
DIVERSITY
Kanishka nazkani
102
What is workplace diversity?
Workplace diversity is defined as a diverse workplace
containing employees who have visible or non-visible
differences. The differences here can be defined by sex, age,
background, sexual orientation, personality, culture, religion,
race, etc.
It is the responsibility of the company to create and maintain
an environment where these differences are appreciated while
productivity flourishes. Some common diversity in the
workplace examples includes training programs, mentorship
programs, and serving special needs and requirements.
Importance of diversity in
workplace
1)Access to more talent
In a world where quiet quitting, great resignation, and recession are
common terms, any company is likely to face a talent shortage.
Practicing diversity and inclusion in the workplace leaves room for a
wider pool of candidates.
2)Higher chances of client satisfaction
Having clients all around the world is great. Ever wondered how you could
build more trust if your Asian client interacted with an Asian employee?
Regardless of the ideal market location, having an inclusive workforce aims at
the higher branding of the company.
3)Smart globalization
Companies scaling at a global level have to find a way to do
so to maintain their profitability while ensuring productivity.
The cost of production is lower in some countries. Sourcing
talent from developing countries is one of the key
importance of workplace diversity.
What creates an inclusive culture
1)Looking Inward
Creating an inclusive culture in the workplace comprehends an
environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and
included. Fostering such a culture employees bring their whole
selves to work and feel comfortable sharing and expressing their
opinions.
2)Making equality a day-to-day habit
It takes a close look at regular activities to realize that claiming a diverse
environment is far from reaching it.
Encouraging diversity in promotion decisions and creating a flexible work
environment to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed is
the way forward.
3)Empowering feedback culture and taking action
Dealing with a multicultural team is no cakewalk. Providing
employees with a safe space to express their thoughts
promotes a sense of inclusivity. Additionally, employers
can identify areas where they may need to improve their
workplace diversity and inclusion efforts and take steps to
address any issues.
What is diversity management?
Diversity management is a practice where people feel
valued and supported. In this practice, they are more
likely to contribute their best ideas and work
collaboratively towards shared objectives. It helps
organizations meet their goals by creating a more
inclusive and productive work environment.
Examples:
1)Inclusive bathroom signs
2)Flexible work hours
3)Recognizing and celebrating events
(Black History Month or Pride Month)
4)Practicing round-robin in meetings
5)Having a Mother's room
Benefits of diversity in
workplace
1)Greater gains on investment
2)Increased productivity and better
results
3)Greater innovation and creativity
4)Promotes employer branding
5)Workforce retention
Challenges of diversity in
workplace
Internal Challenges
1)Some companies did not invest in diversity
management due to the belief that it is not
necessary to meet employee and public
expectations.
2)Another reason for the lack of diversity
management is a lack of awareness about the term
“diversity.”
3)Some companies struggle to change their current
culture and lack internal expertise and knowledge.
They have difficulty quantifying the benefits of a
diverse workforce, leading to a reluctance to invest.
External Challenges
1)Legal restrictions in many countries make it
difficult to gather information on employees’
personal characteristics related to diversity.
2)Anti-discrimination laws often have gaps
that may hinder diversity initiatives.
3)Differences in social attitudes and values
can pose challenges for diversity
management, particularly for small and
medium-sized businesses.
Conclusion
Implementing workplace diversity is undoubtedly an
essential first step toward creating an inclusive environment.
However, true diversity and inclusion require a more
profound shift in our thinking and behavior. We must strive to
hardwire diversity in our brains at a philosophical and
physiological level. We need to fundamentally change our
attitudes, biases, and habits to create a more equitable and
inclusive workplace
