Organizational Diversity

Organizational Diversity is the term used to describe the differences of the labor force of a company. The different personal traits such as gender, race, age, ethnicity, religious conviction, and other characteristics help diversify the labor pool in much the same way that salt water intrusion turns a fresh water river brackish.

It is noted that diversity management programs and affirmative action programs (AAPs), while similar, are distinctly different. "AAPs are specific measures an organization takes to remedy and/or prevent discrimination" (Hitt, 2011p.50). These programs are usually temporary measures; put in place to ensure women and minorities are proportionally represented in a company or organization. Conversly, " diversity management programs are put in place to improve organizational performance" (Hitt, 2011p.51). The only commonality that I see between the two programs is a desire to diversify the workplace, but their means to the end are different.

Exhibit 2-1 in our text book explains, compares and contrasts the two programs this way:

Purpose-AA-to prevent and /or reedy discrimination

Purpose-DM- create an inclusive work enviornment where all associates are empowered to perform their best

Assimilation-AA-Assumes individuals will individually assimilate into the organization;individuals will adapt

Assimilation-DM- Assumes that the organiztion will change to foster an all-inclusive work enviornment

Focus-AA-Recrutment, mobility, and retention

Focus-DM-aCreating an enviornment that allows all associates to reach their full potential

Cause of Diversity Problems-AA-Does not address the cause of problems

Cause of Diversity Problems-DM-Trys to uncover the root causes of diversity problems

Target-AA-Individuals identified as disadvantaged -women, minorities, etc.

Target-DM- All associates

Time Frame-AA-Tempory, until parity is reached

Time Frame-DM-ongoing

It is my thoughts that cumpulsory AAPs have run their course and should no longer be used except in rare cases. The U.S. has almost reached the point of not having any one majority or minority race, religion or gender. I think Organizational Divirsity should be the order of the day.

Works Cited

Hitt, M. A. (2011). Organizational Behavior Third Edition . Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Organizational Diversity is the term used to describe the differences