Diversity in the Workplace: Advantages, Challenges, and Breaking the Glass Ceiling

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Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Why diversity.............................................................................................................................3
Exposure.................................................................................................................................3
Learning..................................................................................................................................4
Organization branding............................................................................................................4
Improved effectiveness...........................................................................................................4
Challenges of a diverse workforce.............................................................................................4
Lack of Coordination..............................................................................................................4
Language barrier.....................................................................................................................5
Increased cost of training........................................................................................................5
Glass ceiling in the workplace...................................................................................................5
Sexual harassment..................................................................................................................5
Cultural jokes..........................................................................................................................6
Lack of sensitivity..................................................................................................................6
Prejudice.................................................................................................................................6
Resistance to women leadership.............................................................................................6
Breaking the glass ceiling..........................................................................................................6
Creating an atmosphere of support.........................................................................................7
Lead by example.....................................................................................................................7
Take a stand............................................................................................................................7

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Recommendations for building a diverse organization..............................................................7
Inclusivity...............................................................................................................................7
Affirmative action..................................................................................................................7
Valuing diversity....................................................................................................................7
Managing diversity.................................................................................................................8
360 degree Feedback and open communication.....................................................................8
Trainings.................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
Human resource management plays a crucial role in the success of any organization.
Managing human resources effectively involves efficient recruitment of employees, fair
compensation of these employees, managing employee performance, managing diversity in
the business and ensuring employee satisfaction (Hendry, 2012). Workplace diversity refers
to a variety of different people that work together in the same organization. This diversity
encompasses gender, ethnic group, age, personality and even educational background.
Diversity in a workplace is leading issue that has been gaining importance lately. This is
because organizations are recognizing the need for diversity among human resources of an
organization (Madsen & Nielsen, 2017).
Increasing globalization has created a free flow of human resources from one part of the
world to another. However, this flow of employees comes at an expense. This report throws
light on various advantages associated with a diversified workforce in an organization. At the
same time, there are various challenges that managers face while ensuring effectiveness of a
diverse team. Strategies to ensure competent coordination within a team and overcoming
problems of a diverse workforce have also been highlighted in this report.
Why diversity
There are various reasons behind organizations’ shifting focus towards enhancing diversity in
the workplace. A diverse workforce has been known to deliver better results and demonstrate
improved performance in the longer run (Barak, 2016). Various advantages associated with a
diverse workforce are as below:
Exposure
Working with people coming from different cultural and educational backgrounds gives
employees an exposure to the other culture. This exposure enhances their growth as an
employee and helps them widen their horizons (Hunt, Layton & Prince, 2015). In the current
scenario of increasing globalization, this exposure plays a vital role in helping employees
break geographical barriers and work in different parts of the world.