Diversity

DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE:
INEQUALITY IN COMMON










BY:

ANGY CUELLARUNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA

MG450- SUMMER 2012JULY 2012
DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE:
INEQUALITY IN COMMON
Introduction:
This paper is the compilation of many of the different views, definitions and theories that describe diversity. This paper will be analyzing aspects like the importance of an effective and welldeveloped diversity environment, the importance of the strategies used to achieve diversity, the different implementation and control, and the problems or consequences organizations may face on working and creating a diverse environment. As a conclusion, this paper will discuss the aspects that an organization must have in order to create diversity and also how diversity is today’s competitiveadvantage any company can have. To study the importance of each individual in any company is the main aspect to study in the paper.

Diversity is essential for a company to survive in the competitive environment nowadays.
Although many definitions are given, diversity refers to the human characteristics that make individuals different from eachother. These characteristics can be grouped into two categories: the first category is the visual characteristics, on which people have no control (race, gender, the age, certain psychological attributes). These aspects are a big influence on the individual's identity and will influence its relations and interaction within the society. Second are the characteristics people adopt, reject cognizantof their choice and efforts (geographic location employment history, income, marital status, education and many more). Knowing and accepting the differences between these categories will help not only individuals, but organizations to foment diversity in the workplace. To study and analyze these categories will prevent not only organizations but also individuals from Stereotyping people.Stereotypes occur when judgmental general assumptions are made about groups of people, and these assumptions become standards for each member of that group. Diversity in the workplace will bring an organization success or failure. This is why a good understanding about how to avoid stereotypes within any social group is fundamental. Today the world functions on a global environment and countries depend oneach other to be able to meet their own people’s needs. However, every nation differs in culture, language, manners and many more aspects. Many people often leave their hometown in pursuit of change, new opportunities and success. In the workforce, people in an organization will face other cultures, nationalities, religions, methodologies and different views that they will be forced to work with.In an organization, a change from a collective view to the evaluation of individual differences and talents will turn diversity from being a challenge to give the company the opportunity to grow. Gwele (2009). It is very important that an organization be able to measure and to compare differences between cultures, this is why, the study of demographics and understanding of many different...