It provides a general defini tion for workplace diversity, discusses the benefits and challenges of managing diverse workplaces, and presents effective strategies. It is an important step for businesses looking to become competitive at a global level. With a population of just slightly lower than men, women make up about 49. By integrating workers from culturally diverse backgrounds into their workforce companies become much stronger. Josh greenberg workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Organizations that promote and achieve a diverse workplace will attract and. Benefits of workplace diversity in the 21st century, workplace diversity has enhanced organization performances and communication skills which benefited the organizations to become successful businesses. Businesses should prioritize hiring diverse employees because of the many great things associated with it.
Companies who have greater workplace diversity outperform their competitors and achieve higher profits. However, that doesnt mean implementing diversity initiatives at work isnt without its unique set of challenges. To do this, organisations should promote equality and diversity through every pulsing vein of their business. Workplace diversity despite having numerous benefits does have its flaws. Pdf managing diversity in south africa harsheen patel. Barriers and benefits of diversity in the workplace. Diversity is a commitment to recognizing and appreciating the variety of characteristics that make individuals unique in an atmosphere that promotes and celebrates individual and collective achievement. It is your job to make the most of the diversity present in your company. Individuals from diverse backgrounds can offer a selection of different talents, skills, and experiences, that may be of benefit to the organization and their work performance. Respecting individual differences will benefit the workplace by creating a competitive edge and increasing work productivity. By offering a platform for the open exchange of ideas, businesses can reap the biggest benefits of diversity in the workplace. Diverse work teams bring high value to organizations. Could greater gender diversity in the workplace be the secret weapon in your companys quest to dominate your market. Okoro and washington 2012 believe innovation when based on a diverse workforce provides an opportunity for competitive advantage through improved.
Challenges exist in guiding a population that differs in. These effects are depend on the factors surroundings organizations externally and internally. Increased range of ideas one of the key benefits of diversity in society is the vast range of ideas that can be explored. Diversity management benefits employees by creating a fair and safe environment where everyone has the access to opportunities and challenges. The current study examines the potential barriers to workplace diversity and suggests strategies to enhance workplace diversity and inclusiveness. Individuals from diverse backgrounds can offer a selection of different talents, skills, and experiences. The impact of workplace diversity on organisations core. And the benefits of true workplace diversity are so obviously attractive that the challenges inherent in it simply have to be addressed. Workplace inclusion is the key to unlocking our potential. Managing diversity is a key component of effective people management in the workplace black enterprise 2001. There are many positive aspects to diversity in the workplace, such as exchange of ideas because of the.
Managers should implement policies such as mentoring programs to provide associates access to information and opportunities. Business advantages of diversity in the workplace the united states office of employment predicts that 29 percent of the u. But it also has certain challenges you have to overcome to reap the benefits. Survey results that organisations are slowly awakening to the positive benefits available through a diverse workforce. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity, it. Pdf workplace diversity wpd is a holistic concept that denotes the differences that exist between people working within an organisation. Consequently, modern day organisations need to address the causes of these issues to exploit the benefits of wpd. The benefits of disability diversity in the workplace. The top 10 economic facts of diversity in the workplace. Supervisors and frontline managers could benefit from. That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more. Problem solving skills in an organization is very important, and increasing age diversity in the workplace encourages creativity, and adds lot of advantage to it. Multiple voices, perspectives, and personalities bouncing off one another can give rise to outofthebox thinking. Having more women working in the labor force would help to fill job shortages at the local, regional, national, and international level.
Equal opportunity should be apparent in any workplace. Valuing diversity can have a big influence on everything from retaining star staff, creating a mediafriendly brand identity, to opening up exciting new talent pools. The study concludes that successfully managing diversity can lead to more committed, better satisfied, better performing employees and potentially better. Achieving cultural diversity in the workplace can be difficult, especially in certain fields and occupations. In order for employers to reap the benefits of cultural diversity in the workplace, they must communicate their commitment to addressing the challenges of a diverse workforce.
What are the benefits of diversity in the workplace. The benefits of workplace diversity in their neverending quest for talent, many organisations tend to forget about diversity in the workplace. An introduction to culture and diversity in the workplace 2. And we hope that the four steps outlined above will, at.
The research question of the study is has workplace diversity contributed to organizational success. Explain benefits and limitations of workplace diversity. Age diversity caters to good decision making skills as it will have a group of people with different age groups. Why workplace diversity is so important, and why its so.
Could greater gender equality be the untapped power play upon which you build your companys success. In this blog post, you will learn about the top 10 benefits of diversity in the workplace. The modern workplace considers workplace diversity a crucial element of success and happiness in the office and are advocates for social improvements. Diversity in the workplace will often result in a much broader spectrum of creativity, from people with different backgrounds, skills and experiences. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 2 advantages. Hiring a diverse staff for your business creates a workforce that possesses a wide range of skills, talents and ideas. Workplace diversity is not just an inclusion fad it has tangible and direct benefits. What are the benefits of diversity in the workplace for employers. Diversity management in the workplace article pdf available in acta universitatis agriculturae et silviculturae mendelianae brunensis 643. Top 10 benefits of diversity in the workplace infographic. Building a diverse workforce can be a challenge for some businesses, but there are solutions to create a sense of harmony and unity among different. Impact of workplace diversity society of interdisciplinary business.
When diversity is a point of emphasis on organizational teams, there are benefits which become possible to the national economy. However, its important that diversity becomes a focal point during the recruitment process as its essentially the first step toward creating a multicultural work environment. Benefits, challenges, and the required managerial tools 3 where every member must listen and have the chance to speak, are good ways to create dialogues. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in modern. It helps create workplaces that are more innovative, creative and adaptable to change. It helps identify new and improved ways of doing things, including harnessing the benefits of technology and improving the efficiency and quality of our services. Mentorship and the value of a multigenerational workforce. We discuss benefits and challenges of a diverse workplace.
Lets look at the top 10 economic benefits of workplace diversity. When companies recruit and retain a diverse pool of people, it brings about different benefits to the company as well as its employees. Diversity in the workforce journal of education and human. Here is a partial list of the positive impacts a diverse workforce has on businesses of all types.
In order to answer the research question the author defined the following objectives of the study. Diversity management is a holistic and sity, wor p ace iversity strategic intervention aimed at maximizing every individuals potential to contribute. Here are a few of the top benefits or diversity in the workplace. Guiding principles how well do you manage diversity. Diversity in the workplace benefits and challenges.
More importantly, it estimates that from 1998 to 2008 some 41 percent of the people entering the u. Workplace diversity should be one of the top things businesses today should address. Benefits and disadvantages of diversity in the workplace. Diversity in the workplace leads to a plethora of benefits both from an internal and external perspective. Pdf prospects and challenges of workplace diversity in. In particular, younger workers are seen as bringing creativity, a unique perspective, and an opportunity to pass along skills and. Managing diversity managing diversity is different from affirmative action. This will have an effect on innovation at the organization level. This just shows how equally important they are to the men. Pros and cons of age diversity in the workplace wisestep.
Increasing adaptability in the workplace, having to value diversity, and executing more effectively are three benefits of workplace diversity. Employers must be seen to be celebrating their employees diversity to avoid workplace issues, like. Stephen butler, cochair of the businesshigher education forum, believes diversity is an invaluable competitive asset robinson 2002. Society benefits on several levels when encouraging diversity in the workplace. Looking at how leaders, managers and nonmanagerial employees view diversity. Organizations who actively promote gender diversity in the workplace will increase the companys understanding on preferences for women and children. Diversity in the workplace benefits all companies, in all sectors. Measurement of the costs and benefits of diversity policies 6. In this way, diversity is a key ingredient to growing a strong and inclusive economy thats built to last. Cultural diversity in the workplace is when companies are open to hiring employees from all sorts of different backgrounds. Maximizing and capitalizing on workplace diversity has become an important issue for management today.
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