At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe globalization and diversity
- Define several terms associated with diversity
- List some facts about work force diversity
- Explain the benefits of diversity
- Describe the challenges of diversity
- List proactive behaviors to promote diversity
- Identify the role of workplace sensitivity training
The following key questions are answered in this module:
How are workplace diversity and equal rights different?
Equal rights are focused on the importance of providing all employees access to opportunities without any type of discrimination. Workplace diversity not only acknowledges these differences in people, but also accepts, understands, and values these differences.
What are some common behaviors related to challenges presented by diversity?
Prejudice - a general attitude to the members of a group; Stereotype - a general belief about the members of a group; Discrimination - a behavior directed at the members of a group.
What are benefits to diversity?
Appreciating and valuing the differences between coworkers can result in decreased employee turnover, increased productivity, enhanced business image, increased creativity and innovation, and stronger team spirit and morale among employees.
What are some of the challenges with diversity?
Challenges can include insensitivity to others resulting from fear, ignorance, or apathy, inherent prejudices that were never recognized until now, and others that also believe in common cultural stereotypes.
What are ways I can promote and encourage diversity?
As an employee, you can avoid telling offensive jokes, avoid listening to and spreading office gossip, be inclusive to all coworkers, be open minded about differences, ask questions, pay attention to coworkers' responses, listen carefully and actively, and discuss issues as they occur.
Below is a transcript of the video sample provided for this module:
Statistics have proven that work environments are becoming increasingly diverse. Today's workforce is almost one third nonwhite, nearly one half women, more than 6% homosexual or transgender and more than 5% disabled.
Use the additional resources and links below to learn more about this topic:
- Center for American Progress - http://www.americanprogress.org
- Workforce Diversity network - http://www.workforcediversitynetwork.com
- Diversity Journal - http://www.diversityjournal.com
- US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - http://www.eeoc.gov
- US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - http://www.bls.gov