Understanding Marginalization and Diversity

This assignment delves into the topics of marginalization, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. It covers various aspects such as physical, emotional, and mental health issues, protective factors, impacts of marginalization, application of treaties to eliminate forms of discrimination, federal laws that protect people from discrimination and harassment, commonwealth laws, and diversity in the workplace. The assignment provides a comprehensive understanding of these concepts and their implications in a workplace setting.

Running head: WORKING WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE 1
Working with Diverse People
Name
Institution

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Working with Diverse People
Question 1
Cultural awareness and its importance to the nursing practice
I would define cultural awareness as the ability to understand the experiences of personal culture
in addition to the cultures of others from diverse ethnical groups, backgrounds, and nationalities
thus making it easy to navigate new experiences (Almutairi et al., 2015). It helps the nurses to
become culturally competent by combining wisdom from the past and knowledge for the future
to aid nurses in performing their duties.
Cultural safety
It can be defined as a safe environment free of assaults and denial of people’s identities, who
they are and what their requirements are. It enhances shared respect and shared experiences and
knowledge thus enabling people to learn together with dignity.
Cultural safety strategies (Almutairi et al., 2015)
i. Promotion of a strong sense of engagement and community between parents and their
children
ii. Enabling the participation of families, communities, and children of an appropriate age in
the decision making and the planning process
iii. Exercising flexibility when dealing with matters that do not conform to our beliefs
iv. Encouraging mutual trust between parents, children and the entire family by championing
for an open and honest communication
Cultural competence and importance to nursing practice

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I may define cultural competence as the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from
varying cultures thus ensuring that the issues of everyone within the community are addressed
(Almutairi et al., 2015). It is important in the nursing practice because it gives nurses the skills,
attitude, and knowledge they require to care for patients who speak different languages and
practice different cultures.
Question 2
Use of guided imagery to support individuals
Nurses can use guided imagery to promote the physical and mental health of individuals. The
nurse talks to an individual to lead them through an exercise of relaxation and imagery. The
exercise helps to relax, control pain, heal or as a mental rehearsal to reduce anxiety.
Question 3
Importance of protecting and supporting diversity at a workplace
Diversity enhances the retention of staff at a workplace because everyone feels that their efforts
are valued and appreciated. It also leads to an increase in productivity because of the cooperative
environment that it creates. Furthermore, diversity in a workplace encourages creativity and
innovation because the employees embrace different cultures and experiences.
Measures of improving self-awareness and social awareness
i. Listening with genuine interest and avoid responding immediately even when the other
person is still talking.
ii. Taking ownership of my behavior and always being ready to apologize for lapses in
judgment.

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Question 5
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
This is an international document that highlights the freedoms and rights that all humans are
entitled to. It is actually the foundation for the present human rights. It is based on fairness,
equality, and dignity (Donnelly, 2013). The document has around 30 articles that all highlight the
rights and freedoms of people and the obligations of all the member states. Some of the
declarations in this document include the right to equality, freedom from slavery, the right to a
fair public hearing, freedom from discrimination and a right to social security among others. The
declaration has since been accepted in almost all countries worldwide because it highlights the
universal standards about how citizens should be treated. It has a huge impact on the lives of
people in conflicting societies as well as peaceful democracies.
Question 6
Breach of Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The right to equality and freedom from discrimination has been breached in some countries like
Iran where women are prohibited from attending football games in stadiums. The best way to
respond to a breach of human right is by making a complaint (Donnelly, 2013). But before
making a complaint, it is important to make an inquiry to know the right procedure and then
proceed with your complaint.
Question 7
The relationship between human needs and human rights

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Human needs are located within an individual and thus can be said to be more rooted in single
individuals. Human rights, on the other hand, are said to exist between people. The distinction
between these two is that the approach towards human needs appeals to charity; on the other
hand, the approach towards human rights converts the need into a matter of dignified entitlement
(Donnelly, 2013).
Question 8
Frameworks used in workplaces to protect human rights
Australia’s human rights framework
The framework is founded on five basic principles that include: reaffirmation of the
commitments to the obligations of the human rights, the importance of educating the public on
human rights and enhancing both the domestic and international human rights engagement
among others.
Approaches and Instruments
i. Resolution of complaints relating to discrimination and breaches of other human rights
ii. Holding public inquiries on matters of national importance regarding human rights
Question 9
Rights and Responsibilities (Donnelly, 2013)
Rights of employers
i. The right to design a salary and compensation plan that follows the business needs.
ii. The right to hire and fire workers by following the due process

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Rights of workers
i. The right to fair wages and compensation
ii. The right to be free from any form of discrimination
Rights of clients
i. The right of a respectable and dignified treatment irrespective of age, gender or race
ii. The right to privacy and confidentiality
Responsibilities of employers
i. The responsibility to provide a safe working place
ii. The responsibility to offer sufficient job training
Responsibilities of workers
i. The responsibility to respect clients, employees and other workers
ii. The responsibility to inform your employer of any job-related illnesses or injuries
Responsibilities of a client
i. The responsibility to respect the rights of other clients, workers and employers
ii. The responsibility to provide legitimate, valid and accurate information about yourself to
enable you to be offered the best care
Handling employees who do not follow instructions
It would be advisable to employ the structure known as performance management cycle. In this
structure, the employer goes through five steps that include coaching, counseling, corrective

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actions, plans for progressive disciplinary and finally termination (Donnelly, 2013). During
coaching, the employee is given the environment to improve his performance. If coaching does
not work the worker is counseled to determine the root cause of underperformance. Corrective
actions may soon follow and if this too does not work then a plan for progressive disciplinary is
initiated and if the situation gets worse, then termination is the final option.
Question 10
Culture, race, and ethnicity
Ethnicity may be described as a group of socially defined individuals who identify one another
on the basis of shared ancestry or social experience. People are classified on the basis of a
common trait like heritage or culture (Almutairi et al., 2015). A characteristic of ethnicity is that
it is territorially confined and socially mobilized.
Culture may be defined as arts of human intellectual achievements that are collectively regarded.
Culture may be regarded as being a microcosm of ethnicity (Almutairi et al., 2015). It, however,
differs from ethnicity due to the fact that it is dynamic meaning that cultures interact and change.
A race is more biological and often relates to the appearance of an individual mostly by their
skin color. The main difference with ethnicity is that race presumes a common genetic or
biological trait (Almutairi et al., 2015).
Question 11
Effects of disabilities on an individual (Donnelly, 2013)
Physical disability

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An example is spinal cord injury which may affect the movement of the limbs and the proper
functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
Psychiatric
An example is a depression that causes insomnia and may corrupt the mind of an individual with
thoughts of suicide.
Sensory
An example is an autism that may affect an individual’s social interaction and communication as
well as their sensitivity to sensory experiences such as touch and light.
Question 12
Definition of terms
Spirituality can be defined as having a feeling of connection to something divine involving the
search for meaning to life.
Religion can be defined as the beliefs and practices that describe the relationship between an
individual and divinity.
Question 13
Definition of terms
Transgender is a term used to describe individuals whose gender behavior or gender identity
does not conform to the sex that they were assigned at birth (Donnelly, 2013).

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Intersex can be defined as a disorder in which there exists a discrepancy between the inner
genitalia and the appearance of the external genitalia.
Question 14
Gender diversity
It is important that everyone in the society accepts that gender diversity exists. This can be
demonstrated by offering equal opportunities to all genders without discrimination and
understanding them for who they are (Donnelly, 2013). This will help in improving social
acceptance.
Question 15
Generational factors affecting interaction at a workplace
Generational factors increase diversity in a workplace because people from different age groups
are brought to work together. It may, however, affect the interaction between workers because
some individuals particularly the young employees may not feel comfortable interacting with
their older counterparts.
Question 16
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation is an expression that might be used to explain an individual’s pattern of
romantic, emotional or sexual attraction depending on the gender of the other person (Donnelly,
2013).
Question 17

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Definition of terms
Gay
This is a male individual, who is sexually attracted to a fellow male individual.
Lesbian
A lesbian is a female who feels a romantic, emotional and sexual attraction to another female.
Bi
Bi is an individual who is attracted to both male and females.
Straight
An individual who feels a sexual attraction towards the opposite gender, for example, a man
being attracted to a woman will refer to themselves as straight.
Question 18
Marginalized groups
Physical factors
People marginalized due to this factor need education on physical disabilities so that they can
understand and accept to accommodate their condition.
Mental factors
People marginalized due to mental factors need protection against stigma and stereotyping.
Emotional factors

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People marginalized due to emotional factors need therapists who can counsel them on how to
get over their emotional problems.
Question 19
Protective factors for physical, emotional and mental health issues
Physical protective factors
Reliable support from caregivers
Emotional protective factors
i. Self-regulation
ii. Making friends and getting along with other people
Mental protective factors
Protection from fear and harm
Question 20
Impacts of marginalization
Discrimination
The reluctance of interacting with other people
Trauma
Depression and isolation
Exclusion

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Feeling invisible and self-doubt
Negative attitudes
Resentment and self-blame
Question 21
Application of treaties to eliminate forms of discrimination
The core international human right treaties are nine in number. These treaties are applied to
promote and protect human rights. The treaties have a committee of experts that is tasked with
monitoring the implementation of the provision of the treaties by the member states (Donnelly,
2013). These conventions are agreed upon by states from across the world based on the
principles of mutual respect, dignity, and equality. It is also important to note that some of the
treaties are augmented with optional protocols that aim at addressing specific issues.
Question 22
Federal laws that protect people from discrimination and harassment (Donnelly, 2013)
i. Age Discrimination Act 2004
ii. Sex Discrimination Act 1984
iii. Disability Discrimination 1992
iv. Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Question 23
Commonwealth laws

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23.1 Australian Capital Territory: Discrimination Act 1991
23.2 How it affects work
The above legislation protects people from discrimination in employment based on sex, gender
identity, religion, race or sexuality among others (Donnelly, 2013).
23.3 Response to breach
The best way to respond to a breach of this legislation is by making a complaint. But before
making a complaint, it is important to make an inquiry to know the right procedure and then
proceed with your complaint.
Question 24
Diversity
Diversity can be defined as the ability to exhibit differences in socioeconomic, geographical,
academic, racial and ethnic background. Diversity is very important in a workplace because it
brings employees from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds together thus creating
an all-inclusive environment (Almutairi et al., 2015). Additionally, it is a good experience
because it promotes positive working relationships and brings new perspectives to the
workplace. As a result, the employees get to interact and share ideas and knowledge that can help
to increase productivity.

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Reference
Almutairi, A. F., McCarthy, A., & Gardner, G. E. (2015). Understanding cultural competence in
a multicultural nursing workforce: Registered nurses’ experience in Saudi
Arabia. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(1), 16-23.
Donnelly, J. (2013). Universal human rights in theory and practice. Cornell University Press.