Discuss How the Workplace Has Changed Through Diversity?

Discuss how the workplace has changed through diversity.

The workplace is full of diversity. In the past employers were denied healthcare benefits and subjected to dangerous work environments. Females were victims of sexual harassment and discrimination as they were paid less than their male counter parts. Non caucasians were racially discriminated as they were denied equal employment opportunities because of their race. Laws and Acts have been passed requiring the avoidance of discrimination regardless of gender, race, sexual preference or age.

Diversity in the workplace requires understanding and acceptance. It means that people in the workplace are individuals that are unique and different. The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 aims to ensure that people of all backgrounds are treated equally and have the same opportunities. In the Sydney Morning Herald article "Indigenous academics claim racism rife in Australian universities" indigenous staff members have been discriminated against due to accusations of alcoholism and their skin colour. As quoted by Jen Rosenburg, "more than 70 per cent of those surveyed had experienced direct discrimination and racist attitudes in the workplace, and more than half had experienced "lateral violence" at the hands of indigenous colleagues, yet less than 20 per cent said their employer had taken positive action to address the issues." this demonstrates how the workplace is in contravention of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Women have been discriminated against due to their sex up until 1972 where women officially received the right to equal pay. The Equal Pay Act 1963 requires that men and women be given equal pay for equal work done in the same establishment. This protects women who are victims of discrimination in the workplace. According to the 2010 ABS statistics women in the workplace are getting a raw deal. Women are paid on average 32.1% less than male employee's in the banking and finance sectors. According to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency, female graduates earn less than men. It is fundamental for employers to embrace gender diversity because there will be a labour shortage of 1.4 million workers by the end of this decade, according to the current Australian demographics and workforce participation forecasts.

The Age Discrimination Act 1975 attempts to help older workers gain employment in the workforce and not be discriminated against because of their age. Employers are prohibited from firing, refusing to hire or treating the employee's differently due to their age. The situation becomes compounded when gender discrimination and age discrimination overlap, for example in Victoria a 47 year old woman applied for a sales representatives role at a pharmaceutical company, this women had extensive experience but due to taking time off to raise her family