Importance of Organizational Diversity.
Organizational diversity in the workplace has been recognized as an employment equality issue. Although, diversity in the workplace can be a benefit in the success of an organization. Diversity goes beyond employment equality, it provides an environment that respects employee differences. Diversity nurtures an environment that values the differences and maximizes the potential of all employees. Diversity in the workplace is important in many ways. It is illegal not to hire an employee due to race, age, or sex. In order to create an organizational culture that supports diversity, you must have management commitment, education with training, and follow up evaluation. .
First, you must adequately determine workforce and organizational needs for creating a diverse workplace. Find out what employees are concerned about. Management can form focus groups . The needs and expectations of a diverse workforce vary by organizational and functional levels. You may determine if the organization has trouble hiring employees that would add to the diversity. In an organization with diversity, which, if any, areas of the workforce are being treated inappropriately. Has the organization impressed upon its leaders and managers the benefits that come from managing diversity appropriately? .
Administrative and management commitment is crucial for diversity efforts. Senior management must provide leadership through example. To gain support from administration you need to directly link diversity to the business. Be specific as to where the diversity issues lie. Are they employee or customer issues? Or both? Provide data regarding the opportunities in the marketplace for diversity.
Organizations that successfully manage diversity distinguish between the differences of education and training. Education is building of awareness and creating a base of general understanding.