What is Diversity?

According to Workology, workforce diversity “is the bringing

together of a variety of people to one workplace.

According to Moorhead and Griffin – “Workforce diversity is

concerned with the similarities and differences in such
characteristics as age, gender, ethnic heritage, physical abilities and
disabilities, race, and sexual orientation, among the employees of
organisations.

Workforce diversity represents both a challenge and an opportunity

for business. A growing number of progressive organisations are
realizing the need for valuing diversity in the workforce, so as to
ensure strategic utilisation of human resources for the
accomplishment of strategic goals.

Workforce diversity means the heterogeneous composition of

employees of an organization in terms of age, gender,
language, ethnic origin, education, marital status, etc.
Managing such diversity is really a challenge to HRM
professionals.
Workforce diversity has significant implications for the
management. The managers will be required to shift their
approach from treating each group of workers alike to
recognizing differences among them and following such
policies so as to encourage creativity, improve productivity,
reduce labor turnover and avoid any sort of discrimination.
When workforce diversity is managed properly, there would
be better communication, better human relations and
congenial work culture in the organization

For the Greater Good Science Center, “diversity” refers to

both an obvious fact of human life—namely, that there are
many different kinds of people—and the idea that this
diversity drives cultural, economic, and social vitality and
innovation. Indeed, decades of research suggest that
intolerance hurts our well-being—and that individuals thrive
when they are able to tolerate and embrace the diversity of
the world.

In North America, the word “diversity” is strongly associated

with racial diversity. However, that is just one dimension of
the human reality. We also differ in gender, language,
manners and culture, social roles, sexual orientation,
education, skills, income, and countless other domains. In
recent years, some advocates have even argued for
recognition of “neurodiversity,” which refers to the range of
differences in brain function.

Research shows that differences do make it harder for people

to connect and empathize with each other. Navigating
differences can be tough, whether in the classroom, the
workplace, or our personal relationships—and yet people all
over the world do it every day. It’s a prosocial skill, like
empathy or forgiveness, that can be developed over a lifetime
with intentionality, knowledge, and practice. In diverse
societies, cultivating our ability to forge relationships across
differences can actually increase our well-being.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/diversity/definition
https://resources.workable.com/hr-terms/diversity-definition
https://www.indeed.com/recruitment/c/info/what-is-
workforce-diversity
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313652230_Workf
orce_diversity_and_organizational_performance_A_study_of
_IT_industry_in_India
https://diversity.social/workplace-diversity-types/
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/how-we-will-help/templates-
and-guides/fact-sheets/rights-and-obligations/workplace-
discrimination
https://www.workplacefairness.org/disability-
discrimination#1
https://futureofworking.com/11-advantages-and-
disadvantages-of-diversity-in-the-workplace/
Diversity presents challenges that may include managing dysfunctional conflict
that can arise from inappropriate interactions between individuals from different
groups. Diversity also presents advantages such as broader perspectives and
viewpoints. Knowledge about how to manage diversity helps managers mitigate
some of its challenges and reap some of its benefits.

In today's global economic system, companies need to diversify to remain

competitive. The benefits of a diverse workforce go beyond political correctness.
Bringing in people with different backgrounds and perspectives can lead to better
decision-making, greater innovation, and higher engagement in the workplace. It
may also improve a company's reputation and make it easier to attract top talent.

A diverse workforce can bring fresh, new ideas to the table and foster innovation.
Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion report higher engagement, lower
turnover, and increase profits.

Objectives of the Study

1. What is Diversity?
2. The Effects Of Cultural Diversity In The Workplace.
3. Diversity Types Dimensions in the Workplace.
4. Pros & cons of diversity in workforce.
5. Discrimination.
6. Diversity Implementation Challenges.
7. Best Practices of Diversity Management.
8. Example of the Company Around the World That Are
Embracing Diversity in a BIG Way..