VALUING DIVERSITY

“To keep the Golden Rule we must put ourselves in other people’s places. If we had the imagination to do that. . . fewer bitter judgments would pass our lips, fewer racial, national, and class prejudices would stain our lives.”

---Harry Emerson Fosdick

Introduction to Workplace Diversity

Our Changing Workforce

The generation gap continues to widen

More women are in the workforce

Persons with disabilities are being better accommodated

More diverse ethnic groups are being absorbed and accepted

Defining Culture & Diversity

Culture the cumulative deposit of knowledge,

experience, beliefs, values, attitudes and religion by a group of people

Diversity the quality or state of having many different

forms, types, ideas, etc.; variety

Workplace Diversity

Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more.

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

Cultural diversity in the workplace provides strength. It also challenges individuals to respond to their diverse work environment effectively.

“Valuing” individual and group cultural differences is critical to achieving the organizational goals.

Executives on Diversity

Chapter 14 6

Quiz

1. Name two (of four) changes in the

workforce.

a.

b.

2. What is workplace diversity?

3. What does cultural diversity provide in

the workplace?

Cultural Awareness

Know your own cultural background.

Recognize your own stereotypes and biases.

Gain knowledge of cultural history and heritage.

Be aware of other’s perceptions.Recognize effects of -ism on the

others.

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Quiz

4. Name two ways that you can be culturally aware.

a.

b.

Widen Your Perspective

Attend ethnic cultural eventsPatronize ethnic business placesSocialize with people of different

culturesParticipate in diversity training

activitiesHelp with fund-raising for special

groups

Quiz

5. What are two ways you can widen your cultural perspective?a.b.

Respect Cultural Differences

Study other cultures--books, television, movies--check the library and Internet

Make friends with people with different cultural backgrounds

Observe interactions of people from other cultures--gestures, expressions, actions

Notice different customs of people from other cultures

Respect Cultural Differences

6. Name at least three ways to show that you respect cultural differences.

a.

b.

c.

Manage Language BarriersAvoid Making Incorrect Assumptions

Study the language Use an interpreter Make opportunities to speak the language to

sharpen your skills

Help Others Make Cultural Adjustments

Keep yourself well-informed Become aware of and concerned about

problems and issues that create disunity Explain your own culture to those of

another culture Offer guidance, help, and empathy--help

them understand and fit in Take a stand on issues that promote

respect and appreciation for diversity

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7. Why do YOU think it would be important to help others make cultural adjustments?

Recognize And Understand Discrimination

STEREOTYPING--occurs whenever you think of all members of a group as having the same characteristics, rather than viewing them as unique individuals

PREJUDICE--means to unfairly prejudge or form an opinion based on a group stereotype, without considering what the individual is really like

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Quiz

8. What is stereotyping?

9. What is prejudice?

Take Positive Action

Speak up and challenge those who make negative comments based on prejudice

Show disapproval or walk away when someone tells an ethnic or racial joke

Bring up the subject of discrimination--share your ideas and views

Avoid minority group labels. Use preferred terms

Resist and expose prejudice

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Quiz

10. What is “positive action”?

The Law Does Not Allow Discrimination On The Basis Of. . .

Race Color Ethnic background Religious affiliation or practice Gender Family status Age “Unacceptable character”

Chapter 14 21

Quiz

11. The law does NOT allow discrimination on the basis of….

a. e.

b. f. Family status

c. g. d. Religious h. “Unacceptableaffiliation or practice character”

To Protect The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities. . .

The job may be restructured Special equipment may be acquired Facilities must be made accessible The employer may not specifically ask if the

person is disabled No special treatment or special requirements

are allowed The employer is not required to hire

someone who is not competent to do the job

To Protect The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities. . .

12. Name at least two ways to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

a.

b.

Sexual Harassment Is Coerced, Unethical And Unwanted Intimacy

Remarks, teasing, flirting Gestures Graffiti, notes, or sign Rude sounds Whistling suggestively Jokes about sex Derogatory rumors Unwelcome touching

Quiz

13. List actions and/or words that would fall under the definition of “sexual harassment,” which is “coerced, unwanted, and unethical intimacy.”

a. Remarks, teasing, flirting e. Whistling suggestively

b. f.

c. Graffiti, notes, or sign g.

d. h.

Avoiding, Resisting, Or Fighting Discrimination

You can turn and walk away You may use positive resistance, with

patience Do not resort to revenge--vandalizing,

assault, verbal abuse File a grievance. Ask for an investigation Contact an attorney Contact a local human rights agency or the

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Quiz

14. How can you avoid, resist, or fight discrimination? Name three ways.

a.

b.

c.

Conclusion

Learning about and accepting diversity can improve your interpersonal effectiveness and increase your personal and professional opportunities.

Do Your Homework

Learn about other cultures.Know respectful behavior.Learn tolerance.

“recognition of and respect for the opinions, practices or behavior of others.”

“Aggressive fighting for the right is the greatest sport in the world.” ---Theodore Roosevelt

Quiz

15. Why is it important to understand and accept workplace diversity?