Managing Workplace Diversity

By

Damilola Daramola

Outline• Definitions• Elements of Diversity• Goal of Diversity• Challenges of Diversity• Ways to incorporate Diversity• Managing Diversity• Benefits of Diversity• Companies that value Diversity• Conclusion

DefinitionsDiversity simply means difference or variety.

Workforce Diversity is the ways in which people in an organization are different from and similar to one another.

Managing Diversity means 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”.

Elements of Diversity• Age

• Gender

• Ethnicity

• Race

• Physical Ability

• Sexual Orientation

• Physical Characteristics

• Income

• Education

• Marital Status

• Religious Beliefs

• Geographic Location

• Parental Status

• Personality Type

Goal of Diversity In the Workplace

The goal of diversity in the workplace is to

provide a work environment in which

everyone is a contributing member of the

organization.

Challenges of Diversity• Stereotyping

• Discrimination

• Diversity can be linked with conflict

• High turnover rate

• Absenteeism

• Decrease in productivity

Ways to Incorporate Diversity• Recruiting from diverse talent pools to make the

company open to employees from various

backgrounds.

• Diversity may be infused into advertising practices

to ensure products and services are targeted to all

consumers who represent the target market,

whether through print, online, television or radio.

Managing Diversity• Secure top management commitment

• Communicate effectively through trainings

• Workplace activities

• Workplace design

• Manage employee grievances

• Mentoring Programmes (inclusive of Reverse Mentoring)

• Awards and Recognition

Benefits of Managing Diversity• Wider range of talents & skills

• Creativity and Innovation• Build synergy in teams and enhances

communication skills

• Improved customer service• Diversity is associated with increased sales

revenue, greater market share, more customers, and greater profits.

Companies That Value Diversity• Diversity is at the heart of our

business.

• We strive to create a work environment that provides all our associates equal access to information, development and opportunity.

• By building an inclusive workplace environment, we seek to leverage our global team of associates, which is rich in diverse people, talent and ideas.

• We see diversity as more than just policies and practices.

Companies That Value Diversity• 62000 people from 128

countries.

• Believes in equal chance and offers to all its employees.

• This enables everyone in the diverse workforce to grow and climb up the corporate ladder.

Companies That Value Diversity"Diversity is a critical business imperative to grow our business. At Diageo we know we cannot succeed without the skills, talents, and capabilities of our people. Simply put, our people are the main ingredient for our success."

- Ivan Menezes, CEO Diageo

Conclusion

If organisational effectiveness and competitive advantage are a by-product of human capital and the practices and policies that support them, then creating and leveraging on inclusive work

environments should be a priority for human resource management executives.