Diversity at Workplace - PDF

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 1
Organizational Behaviors
Student Name
Institution
Date

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 2
Introduction
Diversity in the workplace is becoming a business necessity as companies continue to embrace
change. Diversity in the workplace occurs in different forms some of which include gender
diversity, age diversity, expertise diversity, racial, and ethnic diversities. Organizations that
embrace the diversity of workforce promote creativity and innovation among employees,
establish strong inter-personnel relationships, motivate employees, and improve productivity and
performance (Wrench, 2016, p. 66). Where there is no diversity in the workplace; conflicts occur
and productivity declines. The aim of this assignment is presenting an annotated bibliography
about workplace diversity to understand different views and opinions of researchers about the
topic.
Ruth, M., 2018. Why is Diversity in the Workplace Important to Employees?. [Online]
Available at: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/diversity-workplace-important-employees-
10812.html
[Accessed 11 May 2018].
Why is Diversity in the Workplace Important to Employees?
According to Ruth, workforce diversity is becoming a business necessity in the global
marketplace. As a result, most companies are showing commitment to embracing equality and
diversity in the workplace since this provides tangible and intangible benefits to employees in the
workplace (Ruth, 2018, p. 22). Diversity in workforce brings workplace benefits as employees
get respect from their colleagues and other business gains. Workplace diversity foster mutual
benefit among colleagues in the workplace regardless of their varied work styles, cultural
background differences, and societal norms differences. Ruth Mayhew argues that diversity in

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 3
the workplace contributes to conflict resolution, and this leads to improved productivity of
employees. Another benefit of workplace diversity to employees is that it helps in building a
great business reputation of a company; this leads to improved profitability and workers
opportunities within the firm (Ruth, 2018, p. 26). Further, a diverse workforce provides
employees with more exposure to different cultures and backgrounds, and this contributes to the
formation of whole individual in them.
Patrick, H. A. & Kumar, V. R., 2012. Managing workplace diversity: Issues and Challenges.
p.2158244012444615.: Sage Open.
Issues and Challenges of Managing Workplace Diversity
Workplace diversity involves the understanding, embracing, and valuing of differences among
employees with respect to gender, age, race, disabilities, and skills. According to Patrick and
Kumar, the most common issues of managing workplace diversity include gender bias, sexual
harassment, and negative attitudes on an employee, diversity issues, racial discrimination, and
affirmative action issues (Patrick & Kumar, 2012, p. 16). Some organizations discriminate
against the gender and race of some sexes and certain groups of people with some given skin
color attributes. As a result of these workplace diversity management issues, conflicts arise
within the organization. On the other hand, Patrick and Kumar explain lack of respect, increasing
employees conflicts, personal differences, harassment, and poor communication patterns as the
major challenges facing workplace diversity management (Patrick & Kumar, 2012, p. 22). The
human resource management of companies finds it difficult to manage employees in such
circumstances. In this regard, prejudice, discrimination, and personal differences should be

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 4
avoided by human resource managers in the recruitment, hiring, and termination of employees’
duties.
Kearney, E., Diether, D. & Sven, C. V., 2009. When and how diversity benefits teams: The
importance of team members' need for cognition. Academy of Mangement Journal, 53(3), pp.
581-598.
What are the Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace?
According to Kearney, et al., most people believe that workplace diversity entails factors such as
gender, race, age, and cultural backgrounds. However, creating workplace diversity involves
more than just hiring personnel who fit into different genders and age brackets. Workplace
diversity entails hiring people of varied personalities and stages in their career; for this helps
encourage creativity in which a wide range of ideas and perspectives emerge. In Kearney, et al.,
the top benefits of diversity in the workplace include growth in talents, skills, and employees
experiences which establish a convenient environment for creativity and innovation (Kearney, et
al., 2009, p. 589). Working alongside colleagues of different experiences, work styles, and
professional backgrounds lead to the emergence of new creative ideas that boost workforce
productivity. Also, workplace diversity grows a company’s talent pool of employees which
promotes equality. Further, embracing diversity in the workplace improves the performance of
employees for they feel comfortable and happy in the workplace since inclusivity is prioritized.
Roberge, M. E. & Van Dick, R., 2010. Recognizing the benefits of diversity: When and how
does diversity increase group performance?. Human Resource Management, 20(4), pp. 295-308.
How to Increase Workplace Diversity

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 5
According to Roberge and Van Dick, embracing workplace diversity by companies comes with
numerous benefits. However, some companies miss the essence of diversity, especially during
recruitment. Since employees’ recruitment is easier than employees’ retention, organizations
need to approach recruitment processes in a holistic manner. Poor hiring policies lead to the poor
representation of minorities in the workplace workforce. Roberge and Van Dick note that
companies that do not promote diversity in the workplace experience problems of poor
productivity, increased conflicts, and lack of creativity and innovation among the personnel
(Roberge & Van Dick, 2010, p. 300). So how can companies improve workplace diversity?
Roberge and Van Dick highlight that companies should modify their human resource
management policies and ensure that hiring is done holistically in that all groups are considered.
There is also need to ensure that all cultures, races, languages, and sexes are represented
equitably in the workplace. Further, asking employees for referrals help in boosting workplace
diversity.
Katherine, W. P., 2014. How Diversity Makes Us Smarter. Policy and Ethics, 10(1), pp. 1-22.
How diversity makes us smarter?
Katherine W. Phillips’ article “How Diversity Makes Us Smarter” explains that working in the
presence of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds makes us more intelligent, creative, and
hardworking. Her scientific research postulates that socially diverse workplaces that entail racial,
ethnic, and sex diversity tend to be more creative and innovative that homogenous social groups.
It is obvious for groups of people exemplifying diverse individual skills; knowledge and
expertise turn to be better in performance and conflict resolution when compared to the
homogenous groups (Katherine, 2014, p. 12). Although embracing equality and diversity in the

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 6
workplace works differently, researchers ascertain that it enables the participants to acquire new
skills and attributes of or solving routine, non-routine, and other complex issues appropriately.
Additionally, people of varied backgrounds, cultures, and competencies provide the team with
new information about global business affairs which make them successful entrepreneurs. The
interaction of people from different group forces offers us with alternative viewpoints about a
given subject.
Jennifer, L., 2018. Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Definition, Trends & Examples. [Online]
Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace-definition-
trends-examples.html
Current trends in workplace diversity
According to Jennifer, there are current cultural diversity trends in the workplace that greatly
impact on organizational performance. She notes that there have been recent growths of minority
workforce in most organizations. As a result, dynamic and multicultural organizations have been
established for all groups and populations in the society get equal chances in employment
opportunities. The other trend is the growth of prejudice, discrimination, and prejudice. Some
countries have racial stereotypes on minority groups; and always discriminate against them in the
workplace and also during recruitment and selection processes (Jennifer, 2018, p. 66). Another
current workplace diversity trend is the increased rate at which companies are embracing is
sensitivity to training and development of employees. Most companies train and develop
employees to build their skills and communication etiquette in the workplace. Also, there is an

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 7
increasing trend of females in the workplace, especially in top managerial positions. Most
governments have established labor labors that defend women’s rights in the workplace.
Neugebauer, J., 2014. Equality and diversity in the workplace. Strategic Human Resource
Management: An International Perspective, 2(1), p. 306.
Equality and diversity in the workplace
According to Neugebauer, equality and diversity are two different but related concepts. Equality
in the workplace entails the fair and equal treatment of all employees such that none is
discriminated against. Diversity in the workplace ensures that the management actively engages
all people from varying backgrounds and that this attitude is reflected in the company’s hiring
practices and workplace culture (Neugebauer, 2014, p. 306). Treatment of employees in a fair
and equitable manner motivates them to improve performance and boosts their work morale.
Organizations using flexible employees’ equality and diversity policies excel in decision making,
and this leads to the proper use of resources. Also, it is the legal right of employees to receive
fair treatment by the employer. Equality entails fair remuneration of employees, equal promotion
opportunities, recognition of employees, and enhancing openness when rewarding employees. In
this regard, diversity forms the foundation of equality in the workplace and thus all companies
should promote diversity so as to enhance equity and fair treatment of workforce.
Linda, E., 2018. Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity in Workplace. [Online]
Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace-definition-
trends-examples.html
[Accessed 15 March 2018].

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 8
Disadvantages of diversity in the workplace
Linda Emma explains the advantages and disadvantages that organizations have when they
embrace diversity in the workplace. Despite the fact that workplace diversity comes with endless
benefits to organizations, the practice also has some disadvantages. Linda Emma explains the
importance of understanding the disadvantage of diversity in the workplace to an organization
for this helps the management in proper planning and decision making (Linda, 2018, p. 50). The
first disadvantage of workplace diversity is that there are difficulties faced by companies when
transitioning to the practice. For companies that are new or are just beginning to embrace
diversification in the workplace, there are likely challenges of creating a reliable and diverse
work environment. The entrenched prejudices and old thinking ways hinder company’s efforts to
creating conflict and tension in the workplace (Linda, 2018, p. 56). Short-term cost outlay is
another disadvantage associated with embracing workplace diversity in the workplace.
Diversification requires some flexibility, and most companies find it difficult to transition to
unplanned budgets, hence making the exercise expensive.
Van Laer, K. & Janssens, M., 2011. Ethnic minority professionals' experiences with subtle
discrimination in the workplace. Human Relations, 64(9), pp. 1203-1227.
Forms of Diversity in the Workplace
According to Van Laer and Janssens, there are various forms of diversity in the workplace. For a
company to be productive, embracing gender diversity is vital. During recruitment, the human
resource management of a company needs to ensure that both sexes (male and female) are
equitably represented. Another form of workplace diversity is racial diversity. Companies have
the obligation to ensure equal and fair treatment of employees from different races and colors

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 9
while in the workplace (Van Laer & Janssens, 2011, p. 1204). Racial stereotypes are discouraged
during selection processes since all people deserve fair and equal right even if they come from
the minority ethnic groups. Also, age diversity is emphasized within the workplace in that
employees of different age groups, both the youth and aged get hired in the workplace (Van Laer
& Janssens, 2011, p. 1210). Age diversity helps in talent retention while at the same time new
experts are building. Further, cultural diversity in which employees from different cultures are
recruited and treated equally in the workplace is another form of workplace diversity.
Tisa, J., 2011. The Future of Diversity and Inclusion. Diversity Journal, 1(1), pp. 1-30.
The Future of Workplace Diversity
Tisa argues that diversity is the future of the world’s legal workplace (Tisa, 2011, p. 1). Today,
there are still some companies that have not embraced workplace diversity despite many laws
being launched and established under the Equality and Diversity Act by most governments
globally. With the increased campaigns for workplace diversity and the incredible benefits of
workplace diversity to the modern workplace; it is projected that close to 95 percent of world
companies will have embraced workplace diversity by 2030. Most companies will shift their
dimensions and perceptions about diversity in the workplace. Prejudices, bias, and discrimination
among racial and ethnic minorities, gender discrimination, and discrimination against the
disabled, and racial and cultural stereotypes will have no place in the labor sector in the near
future (Tisa, 2011, p. 20). In future, the productivity and success of all companies will be directly
dependent on workplace diversity. There is a projected increased in workforce performance,
creativity, innovation, skills development, and talent growth with the increased rate of workplace
diversity.

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 10
Conclusion
Diversity in the workplace contributes to the improved profitability of companies. Organizations
embracing equality and diversity in the workplace are more valued and reputable in the labor
sector since most people admire to work in such firms. The workforce reaps maximum benefits
from workplace diversity; whose output benefits the organization and its interested parties at
large. Therefore, the human resource management of companies should embrace workplace
diversity so as to boost performance, productivity, and profitability in the market.

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 11
Bibliography
Jennifer, L., 2018. Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Definition, Trends & Examples. [Online]
Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace-definition-
trends-examples.html
[Accessed 10 January 2018].
Katherine, W. P., 2014. How Diversity Makes Us Smarter. Policy and Ethics, 10(1), pp. 1-22.
Kearney, E., Diether, D. & Sven, C. V., 2009. When and how diversity benefits teams: The
importance of team members' need for cognition. Academy of Mangement Journal, 53(3), pp.
581-598.
Linda, E., 2018. Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity in Workplace. [Online]
Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace-definition-
trends-examples.html
[Accessed 15 March 2018].
Neugebauer, J., 2014. Equality and diversity in the workplace. Strategic Human Resource
Management: An International Perspective, 2(1), p. 306.
Patrick, H. A. & Kumar, V. R., 2012. Managing workplace diversity: Issues and Challenges.
p.2158244012444615.: Sage Open.

DIVERSITY AT WORKPLACE 12
Roberge, M. E. & Van Dick, R., 2010. Recognizing the benefits of diversity: When and how
does diversity increase group performance?. Human Resource Management, 20(4), pp. 295-308.
Ruth, M., 2018. Why is Diversity in the Workplace Important to Employees?. [Online]
Available at: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/diversity-workplace-important-employees-
10812.html
[Accessed 11 May 2018].
Tisa, J., 2011. The Future of Diversity and Inclusion. Diversity Journal, 1(1), pp. 1-30.
Van Laer, K. & Janssens, M., 2011. Ethnic minority professionals' experiences with subtle
discrimination in the workplace. Human Relations, 64(9), pp. 1203-1227.
Wrench, J., 2016. Diversity management and discrimination: Immigrants and ethnic minorities
in EU. 5th ed. New York: Routledge.