Diversity & Multiculturalism in the Workplace

Recruiting and promoting a diverse and multicultural work force is good for business.

Multiculturalism refers to the acceptance and promotion of people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Diversity broadens this view to include promotion of people from different backgrounds and of different abilities, religions, sexuality and even ways of thinking. A multicultural and diverse work force helps produce better products, expand business lines globally and foster innovation and creative problem-solving among work groups. Having a work force that reflects a company's values and customer base is smart business.

Recruitment

With the explosive growth in various demographics in the United States, it's important to hire employees who reflect your customers and who can relate to them and think like them. The businesses most committed to diversity set hiring goals and link bonuses to the growth of a diverse work force.

Retention

Companies that are committed to diversity care about more than bringing in minority talent. They try to keep people who broaden the company's diversity. Good retention programs include mentoring young and midlevel professionals and helping them stay connected. In addition, diversity management involves task forces or special groups whose job it is to monitor diversity in the workplace and to spot patterns and problems that may not be visible to upper management.

Business Processes

Diversity applies to more than people. It applies to the way a company conducts business. Good diversity management couples multiculturalism and diversity to every department and business line. Moreover, diversity applies to suppliers, vendors and contracts. By offering business to small and disadvantaged businesses, companies can demonstrate that their commitment to diversity is deeply entrenched in the corporate psyche.

Global Diversity

Companies in the know about diversity use their multicultural work force strategically to compete successfully in new areas around the world. They know that having this brain trust in house is important to know how to successfully navigate the culture, laws and business environment of the new region where they want to do business.

Diversity Training

It is important to avoid confusing diversity and multiculturalism practices with equal opportunity laws--commonly referred to as affirmative action. Management should not regard diversity as a matter of strict legal compliance but as an important factor in the business's success.

Making everyone in a company understand the importance of diversity will not be easy. A company must overcome entrenched racism and sexism, stereotypes and intolerance and the lack of reasonable accommodation for people of varying physical abilities. Training will be necessary to raise awareness and increase sensitivity.

References

• DiversityInc: Diversity 101; Five Short Topics You Can Present
• "Harvard Business Review: Diversity as Strategy"
• Stanford Graduate Business School: Diverse Backgrounds and Personalities Can Strengthen Groups
• "HR Magazine: Diversity Finds Its Place"
• "Rutgers Focus: Multiculturalism 101"

Resources

• DiversityInc: Best Practices
• DiversityInc: Learning
• Society for Human Resources Management: Introduction to the Human Resources Discipline of Diversity