Introduction
Diversity is generally defined as acknowledging, understanding, accepting, valuing, and celebrating differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice, and public assistance status (Esty, et al, 1995).
The world's increasing globalization requires more interaction among people from diverse cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds than ever before. People no longer live and work in an insular marketplace; they are now part of a worldwide economy with competition coming from nearly every continent. For this reason, profit and non-profit organizations need diversity to become more creative and open to change. Maximizing and capitalizing on workplace diversity has become an important issue for management today.
Diversity in workplace benefits both employers and employees/consultants, enhancing productivity and creativity, providing a platform for improved retention/job satisfaction. A successfully implemented diversity policy will help attract the most experienced individuals available resulting in greater returns for all. It is vital that individuals can express their beliefs within a workplace where values and differences are recognized.
Diversity is beneficial to both associates and employers. Although associates are interdependent in the workplace, respecting individual differences can increase productivity. Diversity in the workplace can reduce lawsuits and increase marketing opportunities, recruitment, creativity, and business image (Esty, et al, 1995). In an era when flexibility and creativity are keys to competitiveness, diversity is critical for an organization's success. Also, the consequences (loss of time and money) should not be overlooked.
"Managing cultural diversity is the procedure of creating and preserving an environment that allows all participants to naturally get to their full potential in pursuit of managerial objectives." (Green, 1992)
The benefits of a diverse staff go beyond meeting the demand for skilled workers. Varied perspectives foster greater innovation. In addition, many companies' customer and employee bases are made up......
