Diversity In The Workplace

Business 200 Prof. Bill White

Diversity Defined
diversity (d -vr s -t , d -) n., pl. diversities.

The fact or quality of being diverse; difference.

A point or respect in which things differ.

Variety or multiformity: Charles Darwin saw in the diversity of species the principles of evolution that operated to generate the species: variation, competition and selection (Scientific American).

Types of Diversity
Gender Age Race Ethnicity Culture Religion Language/Accent Disability Height/Weight Sexual Orientation Education Job Title Job Function Job Skills Union/Non-Union Part-Time/Full-Time Marital Status Political affiliation

The Village Earth

"If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following. There would be:

The Village Earth

57 Asians 21 Europeans; 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south 8 Africans 52 would be female 48 would be male 70 would be non-white 30 would be white 70 would be non-Christian 30 would be Christian 89 would be heterosexual 11 would be homosexual

The Village Earth

6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States 80 would live in substandard housing 70 would be unable to read 50 would suffer from malnutrition 1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth 1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education 1 would own a computer

Diversity Consciousness Defined

Recognizing, appreciating, valuing, and utilizing the unique talents and contributions of all individuals

The Challenge of Workplace Diversity?

The challenge lies in the continuous improvement of the integration and social acceptance of people from different backgrounds. Our differing human characteristics influence the way we think, act, interact, and make choices. Often, these differences interfere with our ability to support, trust, and respect each other, and thus to effectively function together.

Areas of Workplace Diversity

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The active recruitment of women, minorities, and other protected groups. The goal is to meet certain legal imperatives.
EEOC Department of Justice Civil Rights

The primary concern is meeting quotas, often without concern for the survivability of these individuals.

Areas of Workplace Diversity

Managing Diversity
The organization is diverse by default, and now it must deal with it. The goal is to fix, cover-up, and/or defer the problem with a minimum of hassle. The effort is top management-driven, thus forced throughout the organization. The concern is more for a change in behavior than attitudes.

Areas of Workplace Diversity

Valuing Diversity
The organization sees direct benefits from incorporating diverse people and perspectives. INCLUSION: The goal is to change and/or create a organizational culture that recognizes, respects and encourages individual differences.

Diversity Bias
Assumptions of Superiority
Im better than you.

Assumptions of Correctness
This is the way it should be

Assumptions of Universality
Were all the same. Everybody is just like me.

Thoughts on Culture
Everyone creates cultureevery person, group, family, organization. Culture is what everyone knows that everyone else knows. It is a way of understanding and living in the world. Cultures are defined by their differences from other cultures. The greater the difference, the more defined the culture. The most important aspects of culture are those not talked about. People from different cultures experience different realities. Most cultures accept differences in power and status, and consider it normal. Primates always rank order. Most cultures value conformity, reward compliance, and punish descent.

Hierarchy of Cultures
World Culture
Humanity

Major Culture (e.g., U.S. culture)

A regional or national group with a common culture

Subculture (e.g., various immigrant groups)

A cultural group within a major culture

Corporate Culture
An organization within a major culture or subculture

The White American Corporate Mind

As Driven By The Major American Culture
Thinks in black & white Loves individuality and self-reliance Likes informality Can only speak English Very direct. Get to the point. Demand honesty at the bargaining table Hates silence Persistence. Dont take no for an answer. One thing at a time, sequentially A deal is a deal, no matter what. My mind is fixed. Magic Words: Freedom, democracy, America, competition

Corporate Cultures
Employee Expectations
Old Economy: Security New Economy: Personal Growth Enron: Personal wealth

Rewards
Old Economy: Salary New Economy: Stock options Enron: Lightening quick promotions

Corporate Cultures
Leadership
Old Economy: Top down New Economy: Inspirational Enron: Know-it-all arrogant

Organization
Old Economy: Hierarchy New Economy: Network Enron: Individual fiefdoms

Corporate Cultures
Corporate Goal
Old Economy: Steady growth New Economy: Fast growth Enron: Appearing to grow fast

Board of Directors
Old Economy: Rubber stamp New Economy: Independent Enron: Rubber stamp

Corporate Cultures
Approach to Legality/Morality
Old Economy: Steady growth New Economy: Fast growth Enron: Appearing to grow fast

Board of Directors
Old Economy: Aim to meet the rules New Economy: Push the limits Enron: Circumvent the rules

Culture Comparisons
What words describe your culture versus another

Most prominent personality characteristic. Most positive characteristic and/or contribution. Worse characteristic and/or contribution. Characteristics as co-workers. What would you like to better know about them.