PROMOTION AND

IMPORTANCE OF
DIVERSITY POLICY
What is Diversity?
◦ Diversity is defined as all characteristics and experiences that define each of us as
individuals.
◦ A common misconception about diversity is that it only pertains to certain persons or
groups, when in fact, exactly the opposite is true.
◦ Diversity can include Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Age, Religion, Disability, and Sexual
orientation.
◦ A diverse workplace aims to create an inclusive culture that values and uses the talents of
all its employees
The Effects of Diversity in the
Workplace
◦ <ul><li>Solid research needed to be conducted to support the idea that diversity was
beneficial to the workplace.
◦ Diversity was found to be a lot more complex than it was originally thought to be.
◦ Research indicates that diversity can produce both positive and negative effects when
introduced and enforced in the workplace.
◦ Evidence suggests that diversity may produce conflict and employee turnover as well as
more creativity and innovation
 ◦ Groups with greater diversity were shown to have
greater innovation and creativity.
◦ Diverse groups have a greater range of perspectives, and
are able to generate more high quality solutions than less
Benefits of diverse groups.

Diversity ◦ Diversity increases constructive group processes and is

positively associated with performance in business units.
◦ Diversity is associated with increased sales revenue,
greater market share, more customers, and greater
profits.
 Factors that Effect Diversity

RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT WHETHER OR NOT
DIVERSITY HAS A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE EFFECT
DEPENDS ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE
ORGANIZATION’S STRATEGIES, CULTURE, AND
HUMAN RESOURCE PRACTICES.
THIS INDICATES THAT DIVERSITY MAY BE
BENEFICIAL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND IN
CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS
 ◦ While many organizations are embracing diversity in the
workforce, there are still organizations today that remain
unreceptive. Although many government agencies and

Diversity in Fortune 500 companies provide diversity training,

around 40% of organizations still do not.

the Workplace ◦ Even the organizations that claim to be strong advocates

for diversity do not have the statistics to back their
Today claims.
◦ Only 30% of female employees hold management
positions in Wal-Mart This is a very low number
considering 70% of their employees are female.
 Diversity in the Workplace Today

Many of these companies now

Gender discrimination is still
claim that diversity is
a huge problem within many
important to them, especially
organizations. Many male
on their websites, however it
managers are slow to promote
is clear that this is only in
female employees to
response to the many lawsuits
managerial positions.
they’ve faced.
 It is clear that diversity has a profound effect in
the workplace. While many studies have been
conducted, these studies show conflicting results,
implying further research is needed.

As the workforce continues to grow more

Conclusion diverse at a staggering rate, it is necessary for
organizations to embrace diversity.

Although many organizations have increased

their acceptance of diversity, it has yet to fully
garner a majority of support