CHCDIV001: Analyzing Cultural Competence and Diversity in Australia

This essay discusses the importance of cultural diversity in modern work organizations, emphasizing respect for different cultures and religions. It highlights the need for equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their social-cultural, ethnic, or gender identity, referencing the Racial Discrimination Act of 1975. The essay also addresses age discrimination, referencing the Age Discrimination Act 2004, and the importance of providing feasible work opportunities for elderly employees. The Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 is mentioned to emphasize equal opportunities for disabled employees. Furthermore, the Sex Discrimination Act of 1984 is discussed in relation to gender equality in the workplace. The essay also touches on the importance of mental and emotional well-being, the need for anti-sexual harassment forums, and the significance of accommodating employees from cross-cultural backgrounds through language training. It concludes by emphasizing the need to include marginalized groups, such as the Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal Australians, in the social mainstream. The essay emphasizes the significance of cultural awareness, cultural safety, and cultural competence in fostering a positive and inclusive workplace environment.

WORK WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE
Name of the Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

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Cultural diversity is one of the most important things that must be initiated in each and
every modern work organizations. Employees working within any organization must not bed
concerned about their own culture or language only. They must be careful and respectful about
maintaining the dignity and the culture of other employees as well. Diversity is about mixing
with and respecting the cultural and religious belief of one another. On the political front,
Government must be providing equal opportunities to all the employees irrespective of their
social-cultural or ethnic abilities. These people are to be given enough space in the society and
the social surroundings as well.
There are lots of cases where the pay scale varies between men and women employees
because of the gender gap. This is not right as the salary must be given as per the merit and not
as per anybody’s sexual orientation. The racial discrimination act of 1975 enforces the restriction
on all the companies of Australia that there must be no discrimination based on the gender or
race of any person. The other barrier that is often faced by people is the discrimination between
people at their workplace based on their age.
There must be no disparity between people based o their age. In other words, the aged
people or the elderly people must be treated with equal fairness and justice at the workplace. The
elderly employees must be given some feasible opportunities for work after they have reached
the age of retirement. They must be given proper pay and a good, dignified ambiance for
working so that they do not depend on others for their survival. The age discrimination act 2004
was implemented for making sure that none of the employees are treated unfairly after reaching a
certain age. The other important aspect is the disability act. The workplaces must encourage their
disabled employees rather than creating discrimination between them1. Disability discrimination
1 Van Dijk, Teun A. Racism and the Press. Routledge, 2015.

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act of 1992 was imposed to make sure that there are equal opportunities give to the disabled
employees by providing them the same freedom as the rest of the employees. For an instance, a
person on a wheelchair must be given ample time to settle down with the new job ambiance. He
must be provided enough time to walk properly and proper wheelchair or chairs for him to
adjust. The sex discrimination act of 1984 was imposed so that there is gender equality
maintained among the workplaces. In other words, the number of male employees must not
outnumber the female employees. There must not be any discrimination among their employees
based on their personal life like their family responsibilities, pregnancy or other such aspects2.
The mental and emotional wellbeing of the employees must also be taken care of. It is the
duty of the workplaces to have an anti-sexual forum where employees can file complaints against
any sexual or mental harassment faced by them. The emotional well being of an employee is of
high importance and gas to be taken care of by the management at the workplace. The ethnicity
of each and every employee is to be taken care of. The companies hiring people from cross-
cultural boundaries must make sure that they are training their employees in different languages.
They must appoint language trainers and interpreters for this. Last but not the least, the Torres
Strait or the aboriginals of Australia who were earlier marginalized must be given equal
opportunity and brought into the social streams.
References
2 Tan, Li Leng, and Linley Denson. "Bilingual and Multilingual Psychologists Practising in
Australia: An Exploratory Study of Their Skills, Training Needs and Experiences." Australian
Psychologist (2018).

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Tan, Li Leng, and Linley Denson. "Bilingual and Multilingual Psychologists Practising in
Australia: An Exploratory Study of Their Skills, Training Needs and Experiences." Australian
Psychologist (2018).
Van Dijk, Teun A. Racism and the Press. Routledge, 2015.