The Value of Diversity in the Workplace

The Value of Diversity in the Workplace

By

Trudy Walker

University Of Phoenix

April 6, 2000

The Value of Diversity in the WorkPlace

Values are global beliefs that guide actions and judgments across a variety of situations, it lends to influence attitudes and behavior. Parents, friends, teachers, and external reference groups can all influence values, peoples values develop as a product of the learning and experience they encounter their natural setting on which they live, this according to Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborn text "Organizational Behavior"

Valuing Diversity

Workforce diversity is the mix of gender, race, and ethnicity, age and able bodiness in the workforce. it implies differences in people based on their identifications with various groups. Workers in an environment with diversity are empowered to use their full capacity. As a result, they, their work, and the company benefit. Valuing diversity is becoming increasingly important to enhance organizational competitiveness and produce individual development; therefore, welcoming diversity is directly connected to the bottom line. Valuing diversity goes beyond the golden rule according to the Internet article by Carnevale & Stone, "Diversity Beyond the Golden Rule" of treating others as you wish to be treated yourself. It invokes a higher behavior, one that is receiver centered rather than self-centered. Managing diversity expands the notion of valuing diversity by implementing initiatives at all levels in an organization. The goal is to develop an environment that works for all employees. This means companies require people especially those of the dominant culture to let go of their assumptions about what's right according their own values and beliefs and become receptive to other cultures.

Transforming a workforce into one that welcomes diversity challenges the tendency of most people to want to surround themselves with new hire and promote others like themselves. Companies must realize that people from different backgrounds may be just as competent but also in different ways as those who look talk and behave the same way.

Diversity Training

Before diversity can be valued and properly managed in any organization, the organization' leadership must be committed to it. Organizations are undertaking a broad range of diversity imitative. Training programs for diversity may also be viewed as part of an organization affirmative action effort. Companies in order to be effective should not only implement diversity strategies to fulfill their affirmative action quota but