Diversity in the Workplace
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Diversity in the Workplace
For any modern employer, diversity in the workplace is an issue that must be taken seriously when choosing employees and when considering employee retention. In a multicultural society, workplace diversity is growing at a rapid pace. It occurs at all levels of the workforce, from the warehouse to the boardroom, bringing with it both advantages and potential difficulties.
For a business owner, having a diverse workplace allows you to take advantage of a wide diversity of cultural backgrounds. People from these backgrounds converge to bring forth ideas that otherwise might be absent from the business. Having a diverse workforce also allows you to remain connected with your diverse customer base.
However, workplace diversity can come with issues. While a diverse workforce is good for business ideas and customer understanding, it may not always be good for employees' shared understanding within the business itself.
Every business has its own distinctive corporate culture. This corporate culture defines the business, its goals and ethics, and its internal processes and procedures. A diverse workforce must adapt to the corporate culture. It isn't always easy to accomplish this while allowing employees to maintain their own cultural identities.
For ways to successfully incorporate diversity into your workplace, refer to the links available at Business.com.
Adding Diversity to Your Workplace
A more diverse workforce can add vitality to your businessBy Charles Dervarics, Writer/Editor America's workforce is increasingly diverse, and small businesses need to draw and develop talent from a wide range of backgrounds and experience. A diverse workforce can pay dividends for you business in a variety of ways, but achieving diversity is not always easy, depending on your location.
A commitment to diversity requires a wide-ranging effort with these three goals:
- Make diversity part of your mission statement and corporate culture.
- Advertise job vacancies in diverse publications and markets.
- Promote open communication with your workforce about diversity.
While recruitment efforts are essential, retention and employee development also are critical for success.
Develop a clear statement of principles
A mission statement that includes diversity will help meet your goals.
Try:
Get small business advice from this Penn State University diversity newsletter or a Small Business Administration resource guide on workplace diversity.
Make diversity a priority
Job listings can cite your commitment to diversity. Also get the message you're your Web site, brochures and other literature about your business.
Try:
In addition to local advertising, post vacancies on The Diversity Network, an online site popular with employers and job seekers. The site also has a good "Why Diversity?" section.
Go beyond recruitment
Employee development and retention are important for the long-term success of diversity initiatives. Once on staff, employees will assess whether they have viable opportunities to expand skills and reach their potential.
Try:
The American Institute for Managing Diversity has timely advice, or check out case studies at DiversityInc.com.
Find a quality consultant
Diversity consultants can help modify your recruitment and workplace strategies. But check references first to assure quality.
Try:
Contact Roosevelt Thomas Consulting or Prism International to develop your message and activities.
- Consider a mentoring program that pairs a long-time staffer with new employees of a different ethnicity, age or gender.
- Advertise job openings in media outlets and Web sites that attract a minority audience.
- Subscribe to Diversity World's free newsletter with helpful hints.
- When practical, give top priority to an applicant's skill set more than their past experience. Overly detailed job descriptions may limit your applicant pool.
- Don't forget your local college, particularly when hiring entry-level staff. Contact campus career centers or student organizations to post information.
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Easy To Administer, Manage & Report Online Diversity Training.
Register for SHRM's Diversity & Inclusion Conference Oct. 22-24.
Complete course material to teach workplace diversity workshops.
Learn About Workplace Diversity Instructor-led, Online Course
