Workforce Diversity Strategies
Human Resource Strategies to Manage Workforce Diversity
ELLEN ERNST KOSSEK, SHARON A. LOBEL
AND JENNIFER BROWN
1. Propose
This document will explore what a company can do to foster diversity in the workplace. The business case highlights the development and implementation of organizational initiatives that could:
A increase the numerical representation of historically excluded groups,
B empower a diverse workforce once it is in place to participate fully in organizational decision making,
C ensure the inclusion of a diverse workforce in every aspect of organizational life[1]
2. Introdution
In an ideal world, every person is treated equally when it comes to getting a job, advancing in his or her …show more content…
Communicate the Company's Diversity Mission/Statement to All Employees. Communication is critical to the success of an organization's diversity initiative, and should not occur only at the beginning of a diversity initiative, but throughout the entire process. A company should be thorough and timely in reporting back to senior management and to staff with any results and/or progress so that employees are aware of the initiative's benefits and the company's progress. Follow-through also deters cynicism.
Strategies to Change Groups
1. Create a Respectful Work Environment. Employees should be encouraged to acknowledge differences and to treat each other with dignity.
2. Create a Harassment and Discrimination Free Environment. Employees should be encouraged to come forward with complaints of inappropriate conduct. And, an organization should respond promptly and effectively when discrimination or harassment occurs.
3. Promote Participation in External Diversity Organizations. Encourage and support employee involvement with community organizations and activities that provide opportunities for employees to work together for a common cause, i.e., Breast Cancer …show more content…
Focus on retention. Barriers to promotion should be eliminated, and position openings and development opportunities should be posted organization-wide to all employees.
Strategies to Change Individuals
1. Diversity Training. All employees - new hires, supervisors and non-supervisors - should receive diversity training. Training will increase awareness and understanding of workplace diversity and develop concrete skills among staff that will foster enhanced productivity and communications among all employees. The focus is on changing behaivors.For the good implementation companies design and implements the training itself, hire an independent diversity training consultant to provide training to staff and management, use a "train-the-trainer" approach to develop and implement diversity training, etc.
2. Mentoring. Senior mentor is matched with a more junior woman or minority. The objective is enabling under-represented demographic group to move through “glass ceilings”. There are Formal and Informal mentoring Programs.
6. Conclusion
Developing and implementing a diversity strategy is only the beginning. An organization must work hard to create a respectful work environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees feel valued and have an opportunity to
ELLEN ERNST KOSSEK, SHARON A. LOBEL
AND JENNIFER BROWN
1. Propose
This document will explore what a company can do to foster diversity in the workplace. The business case highlights the development and implementation of organizational initiatives that could:
A increase the numerical representation of historically excluded groups,
B empower a diverse workforce once it is in place to participate fully in organizational decision making,
C ensure the inclusion of a diverse workforce in every aspect of organizational life[1]
2. Introdution
In an ideal world, every person is treated equally when it comes to getting a job, advancing in his or her …show more content…
Communicate the Company's Diversity Mission/Statement to All Employees. Communication is critical to the success of an organization's diversity initiative, and should not occur only at the beginning of a diversity initiative, but throughout the entire process. A company should be thorough and timely in reporting back to senior management and to staff with any results and/or progress so that employees are aware of the initiative's benefits and the company's progress. Follow-through also deters cynicism.
Strategies to Change Groups
1. Create a Respectful Work Environment. Employees should be encouraged to acknowledge differences and to treat each other with dignity.
2. Create a Harassment and Discrimination Free Environment. Employees should be encouraged to come forward with complaints of inappropriate conduct. And, an organization should respond promptly and effectively when discrimination or harassment occurs.
3. Promote Participation in External Diversity Organizations. Encourage and support employee involvement with community organizations and activities that provide opportunities for employees to work together for a common cause, i.e., Breast Cancer …show more content…
Focus on retention. Barriers to promotion should be eliminated, and position openings and development opportunities should be posted organization-wide to all employees.
Strategies to Change Individuals
1. Diversity Training. All employees - new hires, supervisors and non-supervisors - should receive diversity training. Training will increase awareness and understanding of workplace diversity and develop concrete skills among staff that will foster enhanced productivity and communications among all employees. The focus is on changing behaivors.For the good implementation companies design and implements the training itself, hire an independent diversity training consultant to provide training to staff and management, use a "train-the-trainer" approach to develop and implement diversity training, etc.
2. Mentoring. Senior mentor is matched with a more junior woman or minority. The objective is enabling under-represented demographic group to move through “glass ceilings”. There are Formal and Informal mentoring Programs.
6. Conclusion
Developing and implementing a diversity strategy is only the beginning. An organization must work hard to create a respectful work environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees feel valued and have an opportunity to