The Importance Of Workplace Diversity

Diversity is difference. Workplace or workforce diversity refers to a set of employees with different culture, ethnics, gender, religion and different physical abilities. According to Esty, Griffin, and Hirsch (1995) diversity is the differences in Gender, religion, class, ethnicity, age, physical ability, race, sexual orientation, social status, and family situations among the members of a workplace and are the most critical measures that differentiates employees in a workplace. With globalization happening, people from all over the world with different backgrounds, ethnics, cultures and beliefs interact with each other in the modern day workplace (Babalola and Marques 2013, p. 435). In a diverse workplace, the workforce is inclusive of a

And this is described by Ewoh (2013, p.107) as a view of stepping away from legal requirement, towards a resource maximization method. A diversified workforce is broader in ideas, experiences, knowledge, and skills than a less diversified workforce. This is because different people from different parts of the world bring different kind of knowledge and experience to the workplace (McPherson 2009, p. 38), which is the very reason it is important to recognize, manage and value what people provide to the workforce. Recognizing diversity is awareness on the nature or the level of diversity in the workplace and valuing diversity is where the organizations take action into creating an environment for different people with unique qualities to perform together in the same workplace by respecting each other and avoiding disputes. Rather than differentiating the minority from the majority, trying to integrate the two groups into the workplace culture and creating an environment by improving the attitudes and behavior of employees by providing training and developing mindfulness on diversity can be described as valuing and managing diversity (Ewoh 2013,

Introduction of new technologies and increase in globalization has changed the trends in a typical workplace (Green et al. 2002). Globalization has made organizations to perform operations around the world. This creates a diversified customer base for these organizations and thus increases the importance of having a diversified workforce. This need of a diversified workplace is what must be satisfied by the organizations in order to reflect modern day diverse community (Prieto et al. 2009, p. 13). The need for diversity in the workplace has risen not only because of globalization, but also for organizations to compete with other organizations and to be successful. To face competitiveness an organization must have a unique, creative and flexible workforce where all will work as one in their maximum potential to lead the organization to success. A diverse workforce will be more creative, flexible and when diversity is well managed an environment for the people to work to their maximum potential is created. In the modern period of time where creativity and flexibility play the key role for success, diversity plays a crucial part (Green 2002). Diversity in workplace brings many advantages to its organization. When diversity is valued and well managed it brings out a comparative advantage to the organization. When diversity is