Workplace Diversity
Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Workplace
Feeling like an outsider is never an enjoyable experience. As humans, we have a natural desire to fit within the pack, to be a member of the group, to feel like we belong. However, that is sometimes not how things work. With an ever changing and growing population in the United States, we come into contact with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures every day. Unfortunately, people that do not fit into the majority come face to face with issues like prejudice and discrimination in all aspects of their lives, including the workplace. Workplace discrimination is still very apparent in today’s society, even after decades of litigation attempting to eradicate it. This discrimination is not only detrimental to the individual, but it is also detrimental to the company and other employees. Understanding cultural diversity as a manager or fellow professional in the workplace is essential for advancement and growth in today’s marketplace.
Benefits of Diversity
“Diversity is defined as real or perceived differences among people that affect their interactions and relationships” (Bell, 2010, 4). There are many reasons why it is important to understand diversity in the workplace, as a manager and fellow professional. When employees feel as if they are part of a team, rather than working on the outside, it inspires them to want to do better. Creating an atmosphere of positivity surrounding the diversity of the workplace has several benefits for employees and companies, alike. Jalal Armache, a professor at Lebanese American University, states that, “one of the major benefits of workplace diversity is that it provides a healthy environment that acknowledges and compensates team performance and encourages workers to express themselves with an open mind resulting in high productivity levels and low employee turnover” (61). Employees will always contribute more to their workplace when they feel that their
Feeling like an outsider is never an enjoyable experience. As humans, we have a natural desire to fit within the pack, to be a member of the group, to feel like we belong. However, that is sometimes not how things work. With an ever changing and growing population in the United States, we come into contact with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures every day. Unfortunately, people that do not fit into the majority come face to face with issues like prejudice and discrimination in all aspects of their lives, including the workplace. Workplace discrimination is still very apparent in today’s society, even after decades of litigation attempting to eradicate it. This discrimination is not only detrimental to the individual, but it is also detrimental to the company and other employees. Understanding cultural diversity as a manager or fellow professional in the workplace is essential for advancement and growth in today’s marketplace.
Benefits of Diversity
“Diversity is defined as real or perceived differences among people that affect their interactions and relationships” (Bell, 2010, 4). There are many reasons why it is important to understand diversity in the workplace, as a manager and fellow professional. When employees feel as if they are part of a team, rather than working on the outside, it inspires them to want to do better. Creating an atmosphere of positivity surrounding the diversity of the workplace has several benefits for employees and companies, alike. Jalal Armache, a professor at Lebanese American University, states that, “one of the major benefits of workplace diversity is that it provides a healthy environment that acknowledges and compensates team performance and encourages workers to express themselves with an open mind resulting in high productivity levels and low employee turnover” (61). Employees will always contribute more to their workplace when they feel that their