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Diversity Defined PDF
Diversity Defined PDF
1. This document is HR022, one of a series of the Food and Resource Economics Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date June 2002. Revised October 2008. Reviewed February 2012. Visit the EDIS
website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Kelli A. Green, graduate student; Mayra Lpez, graduate student; Allen Wysocki, Assistant Professor; and Karl Kepner, Distinguished Professor;
Department of Food and Resource Economics, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to
individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean
will require organizations to review their management inclusiveness. Managers may also be challenged with losses
practices and develop new and creative approaches to in personnel and work productivity due to prejudice and
managing people. Changes will increase work performance discrimination and complaints and legal actions against the
and customer service. organization (Devoe, 1999).
Women in the Workplace Negative attitudes and behaviors can be barriers to organi-
The need to understand diversity is also driven by women zational diversity because they can harm working relation-
in the workplace. Todays workforce has the highest levels ships and damage morale and work productivity (Esty, et
of employment participation ever by women. The number al., 1995). Negative attitudes and behaviors in the workplace
of dual income families and single working mothers has include prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination, which
increased. Change in the family structure means that should never be used by management for hiring, retention,
there are fewer men and women in traditional family roles and termination practices (could lead to costly litigation).
(Zweigenhaft and Domhoff, 1998). Therefore, diversity
issues cut across both race and gender. Required Tools for Managing
Organizational Restructuring
Diversity
Effective managers are aware that certain skills are
There have been significant changes to organizations as a necessary for creating a successful, diverse workforce.
result of downsizing and outsourcing, which has greatly First, managers must understand discrimination and its
affected human resource management. Work practices have consequences. Second, managers must recognize their own
changed due to the impact of globalization and technology cultural biases and prejudices (Koonce, 2001). Diversity is
and there is a trend toward longer working hours (Losyk, not about differences among groups, but rather about dif-
1996). Generally speaking, reorganizations usually result in ferences among individuals. Each individual is unique and
fewer people doing more. does not represent or speak for a particular group. Finally,
managers must be willing to change the organization if
Legislation necessary (Koonce, 2001). Organizations need to learn how
Federal and State equal opportunity legislation make to manage diversity in the workplace to be successful in the
discrimination in workplaces illegal. These laws specify the future (Flagg, 2002).
rights and responsibilities of both associates and employers
in the workplace and hold both groups accountable. Unfortunately, there is no single recipe for success. It
mainly depends on the managers ability to understand
Benefits of Diversity in the what is best for the organization based on teamwork and
the dynamics of the workplace. According to Roosevelt
Workplace (2001), managing diversity is a comprehensive process
Diversity is beneficial to both associates and employers. for creating a work environment that includes everyone.
Although associates are interdependent in the workplace, When creating a successful diverse workforce, an effective
respecting individual differences can increase productivity. manager should focus on personal awareness. Both manag-
Diversity in the workplace can reduce lawsuits and increase ers and associates need to be aware of their personal biases.
marketing opportunities, recruitment, creativity, and busi- Therefore, organizations need to develop, implement, and
ness image (Esty, et al., 1995). In an era when flexibility and maintain ongoing training because a one-day session of
creativity are keys to competitiveness, diversity is critical for training will not change peoples behaviors (Koonce, 2001).
an organizations success. Also, the consequences (loss of Managers must also understand that fairness is not neces-
time and money) should not be overlooked. sarily equality. There are always exceptions to the rule.
2
where every member must listen and have the chance to World Wide Web at http://www.shrm.org. Date visited,
speak, are good ways to create dialogues. Managers should February 8, 2002.
implement policies such as mentoring programs to provide
associates access to information and opportunities. Also, Rooselvet Thomas, R. Jr. (2001). Elements of a successful
associates should never be denied necessary, constructive, diversity process. The American Institute for Managing
critical feedback for learning about mistakes and successes Diversity. Available on the World Wide Web at http://www.
(Flagg, 2002). aimd.org/articles/elements.html. Date visited, February 8,
2002.
Conclusion Society for Human Resource Management. (1998). SHRM
A diverse workforce is a reflection of a changing world survey explores the best in diversity practices. Fortune 500
and marketplace. Diverse work teams bring high value to firms outpace the competition with greater commitment
organizations. Respecting individual differences will benefit to diversity. The Society for Human Resource Management
the workplace by creating a competitive edge and increasing (SHRM). Available on the World Wide Web at http://www.
work productivity. Diversity management benefits associ- shrm.org/press/releases/980803.htm. Date visited, February
ates by creating a fair and safe environment where everyone 8, 2002.
has access to opportunities and challenges. Management
tools in a diverse workforce should be used to educate Zweigenhaft, Richard L., and G. William Domhoff. (1998).
everyone about diversity and its issues, including laws Diversity in the power elite : have women and minorities
and regulations. Most workplaces are made up of diverse reached the top? New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
cultures, so organizations need to learn how to adapt to be
successful.
References
Black Enterprise. (2001). Managing a multicultural work-
force. Black Enterprise Magazine (July).