Diversity Management and Human Resource Development

This assignment delves into the intricacies of diversity management within human resource development, highlighting challenges such as age diversity, identity connections, and the role of HRM in corporate social responsibility. It provides a comprehensive overview of key research articles, books, and online resources, including studies on workplace diversity management in Australia, human resource management roles in CSR, and alternative diversity management practices. The assignment aims to understand how these concepts can be applied in real-world scenarios, promoting inclusivity and equality at work.

Workplace Diversity in
Relation to Human Resource
Management

Executive summary:
This particular report will focus on providing solutions of three main challenges which is
faced by Hyatt Hotel, Canberra which is operating within the hospitality industry of Australia at
its workplace. These challenges will be concerned with diversity in workplace and culture of
hotel and then taking out the best practices or solutions so that possible identified steps could be
easily taken. Hyatt Hotel, Canberra is hotel which is operating in Australia and facing several
problems which is related to workplace diversity like that of acceptance and respect, gender
equality and ethnic and cultural difference. However, there are also some possible solutions to
these problems that are identified within this report like for acceptance and respect diversity
training is best suited practice which will help company to overcome this challenge.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Challenge 1: Acceptance and respect..........................................................................................1
Best practices...............................................................................................................................2
Suggestions..................................................................................................................................3
Challenge 2: Ethnic and cultural difference................................................................................3
Best practices...............................................................................................................................4
Suggestion....................................................................................................................................5
Challenge 3: Gender equality......................................................................................................5
Best practices...............................................................................................................................6
Suggestion....................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Human resources management is process of recruiting and managing people or
employees in the organisation (Holck, Muhr & Villesèche, 2016). This is the most important
section or department of company which is engaged into recruiting and dealing with people so
that they are having the best employees at right place and at right time. There are many activities
which are related to HR or they are performing many task or activities like that of recruitment
and selection, occupational health and safety, wellbeing of employees and workplace diversity as
well.
So for this report, workplace diversity and its associated 3 challenges are been included
which is faced by HR managers in Hyatt Hotel, Canberra which is working in hospitality
industry. Further, best practices in relation to this workplace problem will be included and then
recommendation based on these activities will be given.
MAIN BODY
Workplace diversity is including various characteristics of who are working in
organisation and having different characteristics that are different from one another. These
difference within workplace are based on race, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation and
ethnicity. This will be ever changing in any type of organisations as recruitment will be there
based on knowledge, skills and experience of employees. Hyatt Hotel Canberra is the leading
hotel of Australia and is operating since 1924, with diversity of people working into. There will
be certain issues or challenges which are faced by hotel related to their workplace like that of
acceptance and respect; ethnic and cultural difference; gender equality. It will be under role and
responsibilities of HR department that they are been able to bridge out the gap between workers
and employers or management.
Challenge 1: Acceptance and respect
This is one of the biggest challenge which every business or workplace will be facing and
could not be so easily solved out as it deals with changing the mind set or belief of people. As
there are different and various types of cultural groups which are working into Hyatt Hotel
Canberra. While, it is essential that workers and employees are accepting each other’s culture
and belief, which will be helping in lowering down conflicts.
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Figure 1: Acceptance and respect
(Source: 7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018)
According to the view of Davis, Frolova & Callahan, (2016) acceptance and respect
between employers and employee will be key factor in workplace diversity which is helping
organisation in planning diversity training. Respecting all people who are working with
employees is their own duty which will be automatically called for less amount of discrimination
between all people of company. As HR of Hyatt Hotel Canberra will be arranging various
activities and task which will enable all workers and employees to learn about each other and
engaging with each other in proper manner. According to view of Al-Jenaibi, (2017) respecting
each other and accepting as they are is essential in both professional and personal life as well.
Best practices
Diversity training, as per the view of Jamali, El Dirani & Harwood, (2015), will be the
most important tool in understanding, accepting and then respecting difference which employees
are having within themselves. This is the process under which educating employees of Hyatt
Hotel Canberra will be done so that they are then treating people in proper way who is coming
from different backgrounds (7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018). The goal or
purpose of diversity training will be creating positive working environment within workplace so
that everyone is happy and confidence in working with all people. According to Boehm &
Kunze, (2015), it is said that other than these assigning people clearly with their team and roles
or responsibilities so that they could know for what they are accountable. Communication could
be considered as main element for the success of reducing problem or fighting up with
acceptance and respect challenge of workplace cultural that of Hyatt Hotel Canberra. With the
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help of communication, employees will be clearly understanding all policies which are related to
health and safety and they will clear all sort of misunderstandings.
Other than this Janssens & Zanoni, (2014) state that forming diversified team which is
enabled with culture and helping them to understand or breaking stereotypes will be most
important. These all will help in building up relationships between employee and employer. It is
included that lack of communication and understanding of each other’s culture or background
will be creating discrimination (7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018). This
acceptance and respect will also be helping Hyatt Hotel Canberra as this will be earning higher
profits and sales target. If company is able to minimise role of discrimination, then aims and
objective achievement will be easier for management. As it is concluded by Naff, (2018) that it is
the role of HR that they are creating communication link between their employee and workers
and try to resolve issues and problems which is faced by them.
Suggestions
From the above part, it is suggested that employees should accept the difference among
themselves which will be true result of sharing of ideas and effective collaboration as well.
Accepting each other at workplace will be helping in mutual respect and preventing conflict
which could arise at any time. There are some of the suggestions which are drawn like that of:
 Diversity training is the correct tool which Hyatt Hotel Canberra must be using to
eliminate the difference of cultural and other diversity challenges. So management must
be including this tool or method which is helping them to easily relate their understanding
as per culture of people.
 Communication is also the key of resolving problems and issues within workplace
problem so that it is creating harmony and improving tolerance among employees as
well.
Challenge 2: Ethnic and cultural difference
According to Armstrong & Taylor, (2014), ethnicity based on a group which is normally
based on similar traits such as common heritage, language and cultural similarities within the
group. On the other hand, other variables that plays a vital role in ethnicity, though not in all
cases includes a geographical connection to a particular place, foods and diets. In addition to this,
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race is also described as a word with similar meaning though describing more physical traits that
are opposed to the cultural traits of ethnicity effectively.
Figure 2: Ethnic and cultural difference
(Source: 7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018)
Nkomo & Hoobler, (2014), stated that culture is similar to ethnicity that it involves one
characteristic or trait, sort of subset of the different traits that helps to make ethnicity. Culture is
something taught by other human beings. This is the way we learn culture by other in terms of
speaking. Cultural diversity at workplace is a result of values, practices, traditions and beliefs of
workers based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, and religion (7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the
Workplace, 2018). Other factors that contribute towards diversity at workplace and cultural
differences are attributable to working styles, disability and education.
Best practices
Baum, (2015), said that all cultures and ethnics have some difference that the way of
operating is slightly different from ways of drinking and eating ideas on meeting protocol. There
are some best practices from which the managers are able to manage diversity in the workplace
(7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018). The issues around the diverse workplace
could be mitigated and managed of workers take some effective steps to ensure that Hyatt Hotel
Canberra are recognised for acceptance and tolerance. Here are some best practices from which
the diversity can be managed:
Creating written policies: It is important for managers to include policies in relation to the
diversity in their workers handbook. The policy must contain information about non-
discrimination laws, compensation and benefit policy and code of conduct effectively.
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Providing sensitivity training: It is crucial for managers to provide sensitivity training to their
workers in order to create a better and effective workplace culture. In addition to this, sensitivity
training helps workers to provide value to views that are different, understanding the words and
actions that can cause offense along with what needs to be done.
Imposing zero tolerance policy: The managers needs to set the tone about ways in which
violation could be dealt with. This process should be applied after workers received the
handbook and training about diversity problems (Werner, 2014). It is important for them to be
aware of inappropriate behaviour and attitude which is not possible to be tolerated and actions
will be taken against it seriously.
Suggestion
Promoting diversity is one of the best ways from which the managers are able to foster
open-minded and global business culture. This helps to understand customers, colleagues and
other all around the world. This also makes an effective workplace and environment where each
and every one can easily talk to each other without any hesitation. Diversity can take many forms
from nationality to culture to race, gender, educational background and sexuality. A workplace
where various perspectives of people are valued as well as embraced helps to foster productive
relationship within business (7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018). Managers are
also able to educate themselves in terms of learning about various culture approaches and
traditions to work to keep up to date with global events and international politics effectively. In
addition to this, providing contribution to the cultural diversity is also an effective way of
promoting culture at workplace. Understanding between workers helps to promote diversity and
also build effective relationships.
Challenge 3: Gender equality
Gender equality is also called sexual equality described as a state of equal vase in which
resources and opportunities regarding gender including decision making and economic
participation must be equal. In simple words, it means that the aspirations, behaviour and
requirements of women and men are considered, favoured and valued equally. It does not mean
that men and women have to become same (Amayah & Gedro, 2014). It is about similar rights,
roles, responsibilities and opportunities which is not depended on whether they are born female
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or male effectively. Gender equality is measured by looking representation of women and men in
a wide range of roles and responsibilities.
Figure 3: Gender equality
(Source: 7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018)
Best practices
According to Stone & Deadrick, (2015) gender discrimination exists in many forms such
as paying differently of various genders for performing the same work, hiring and providing
training to only one gender for certain type of job. Sexual harassment and refusing women to do
work etc. are some discrimination activities regarding gender. Promoting gender equality is not
hard but it takes management commitment to take important actions to establish guidelines to
enforce them. Here are some practices from which it can be enforce in workplace such as:
Actions to promote gender equality: Training is also the best option towards providing equality
in order to reduce discrimination at workplace. Identification of discrimination activities among
staff will help to deal with the situation in order to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Policies to promote gender equality: Establishing policies in order to ensure that women and
men are compensated equally for performing the same work (Aaltio, Maria Salminen &
Koponen, 2014). It is important to pay equally to ensure both genders are same for the Hyatt
Hotel Canberra in recruiting, training, promotion and hiring effectively. A policy related to
sexual harassment must be implemented.
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Remove gender pay gap: A culture of transparency should be introduced to investigate the pay
gap between men and women to stop asking about their last payroll. Instead of that, each position
should have pay bracket which helps to outline salary for the work effectively.
Suggestion
It is very important to pay attention towards gender equality that it helps to promote a
healthy environment within Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Here are some suggestions should be
followed by Hyatt Hotel Canberra in order to enhance equality in workplace that helps workers
to feel free.
No special privileges for women and men: No extra privileges are granted whether the person is
female or male, under any circumstances (7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace, 2018). No
talking should be made related to gender excuses for getting something done or not.
No separate rules: Rules and regulations of Hyatt Hotel Canberra must be strict and should be
followed by everyone and applicable for all whether the sex is female or male. There should be
some uniform rules and regulations for people belong to either sex.
Punishment for offenders: The Hyatt Hotel Canberra should ensure that there must be strict
punishment for offenders in order to promote gender equality at workplace effectively.
Punishments will help to prevent others to make such mistakes again (7 Biggest Diversity Issues
in the Workplace, 2018).
CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above report that acceptance and respect is important at
workplace in order to promote a health environment within business that helps to increase
positive attitude and behaviour. In addition to this, culture diversity is a normal thing and present
in every business. It is analysed that manager should address cultural diversity in order to
increase effectiveness of environment that is open for all. This will help people to share their
views, thoughts and ideas to introduce their culture. It is also important to address gender
equality that it is about similar rights, roles, responsibilities and opportunities to promote positive
environment within Hyatt Hotel Canberra effectively and efficiently.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals:
Aaltio, I., Maria Salminen, H. & Koponen, S. (2014). Ageing employees and human resource
management–evidence of gender-sensitivity?. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An
International Journal 33(2) 160-176.
Al-Jenaibi, B. (2017). The scope and impact of workplace diversity in the United Arab
Emirates–A preliminary study. Geografia-Malaysian Journal of Society and Space 8(1).
Amayah, A. T. & Gedro, J. (2014). Understanding generational diversity: Strategic human
resource management and development across the generational “divide”. New Horizons
in Adult Education and Human Resource Development 26(2) 36-48.
Armstrong, M. & Taylor, S. (2014). Armstrong's handbook of human resource management
practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Baum, T. (2015). Human resources in tourism: Still waiting for change?–A 2015
reprise. Tourism Management 50 204-212.
Boehm, S. A. & Kunze, F. (2015). Age diversity and age climate in the workplace. In Aging
workers and the employee-employer relationship (pp. 33-55). Springer, Cham.
Davis, P. J., Frolova, Y. & Callahan, W. (2016). Workplace diversity management in Australia:
what do managers think and what are organisations doing?. Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion: An International Journal 35(2) 81-98.
Davis, P. J., Frolova, Y. & Callahan, W. (2016). Workplace diversity management in Australia:
what do managers think and what are organisations doing?. Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion: An International Journal 35(2) 81-98.
Holck, L., Muhr, S. L. & Villesèche, F. (2016). Identity, diversity and diversity management: On
theoretical connections, assumptions and implications for practice. Equality, Diversity
and Inclusiosn: An International Journal 35(1) 48-64.
Jamali, D. R., El Dirani, A. M. & Harwood, I. A. (2015). Exploring human resource
management roles in corporate social responsibility: the CSR‐HRM co‐creation
model. Business Ethics: A European Review 24(2) 125-143.
Janssens, M. & Zanoni, P. (2014). Alternative diversity management: Organizational practices
fostering ethnic equality at work. Scandinavian Journal of Management 30(3) 317-331.
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Naff, K. C. (2018). To look like America: Dismantling barriers for women and minorities in
government. Routledge.
Nkomo, S. & Hoobler, J. M. (2014). A historical perspective on diversity ideologies in the
United States: Reflections on human resource management research and practice. Human
Resource Management Review 24(3) 245-257.
Stone, D. L. & Deadrick, D. L. (2015). Challenges and opportunities affecting the future of
human resource management. Human Resource Management Review 25(2) 139-145.
Werner, J. M. (2014). Human resource development≠ human resource management: So what is
it?. Human Resource Development Quarterly 25(2) 127-139.
Online:
7 Biggest Diversity Issues in the Workplace. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.thiswayglobal.com/blog/top-diversity-issues-in-the-workplace/>
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