Workplace Diversity Conflict
Workplace diversity conflicts intensify under job-related stress. A stressful work environment with deadlines and piles of paperwork can contribute to personal conflicts among the employees. It's common to have friction with co-workers who have different values and work styles. Race, culture, gender and age also may be factors.
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Racial and Cultural Diversity
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Racial and cultural diversity in the workplace depends on the type of job, the type of industry and the local community in which you work. You may work with people who you would never choose to be in your inner circle. Racial and cultural conflicts arise when you emphasize differences and ignore similarities. However, the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service, warns that "not every dispute between individuals of different races is a racial dispute."
Gender and Age
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Gender and age also may contribute to workplace conflicts. It is human nature to create labels for individuals based on gender, age or other physical characteristics. The labels create stereotypes which may be negatively reinforced when staff is working under pressure. Conflict arises when misconceptions are used as reasons for work performance.
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Cultural Understanding
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Cultural conflicts in the workplace may be resolved with a conscious effort to understand other individuals' cultures, backgrounds and daily lives. The first step is to acknowledge that it is not a person's race or ethnic culture that causes the conflicts, but a lack of understanding of who the other individual is and the positive contributions to the workplace environment.
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