STRATEGIC HRM ASSIGNMENT

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Diversity Management

Introduction

The concept of diversity includes acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and fostering environment.

It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

Workplace diversity

Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization.

That sounds simple, but diversity encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background, and more.

Diversity involves not only how people perceive themselves but also how they perceive others.

Those perceptions affect their interactions. For a wide assortment of employees to function effectively as an organization, human resource professionals need to deal effectively with issues such as communication, adaptability, and change.

Meaning of Diversity Management

Diversity Management is the deliberate effort made by the leaders of an organization to hire diverse talent and support an inclusive workplace that values and protects each of its employees equally by providing resources to learn from, connect with and respect individual differences.

Diversity management is a process intended to create and maintain a positive work environment where the similarities and differences of individuals are valued, so that all can reach their potential and maximize their contributions to an organization's strategic goals and objectives.

Why is diversity management important?

• A diverse workplace will help organizations better understand target demographics and what moves them.
• A diverse workplace can better align an organization's culture with the demographic make-up of a nation.
• Increased customer satisfaction by improving how employees interact with a more diverse clientele and public.

5 Steps for Successfully Managing Diversity

Your workforce, your customers, and your markets are increasingly diverse.

To promote individual and organizational success, you must welcome diversity and manage it well.

These five steps will help you to manage diversity effectively

1. Emphasize communication

Ensure that all employees understand your policies, procedures, safety rules, and other important information. Work to overcome language and cultural barriers. Have key materials, such as safety information, translated when possible. Use pictures and symbols on warning signs so that everybody can understand.

2. View employees as individuals

Avoid both positive and negative stereotypes. Dont make assumptions about employees from different groups.

Judge successes and failures individually.

Respond promptly and firmly when employees express prejudices or stereotypes.

Remind them of your policies that prohibit discrimination.

Encourage employees to view co-workers as individuals and judge them on their work, not on personal factors.

3.Encourage employees to work in diverse groups

• Assure that work teams reflect the diversity of your workplace. Diverse work teams let employees get to know and value one another as individuals.
• Diverse teams also expand the experiences and views of all the workers on the team and help them recognize the strength of their combined talents and perspectives.

4.Base decisions on objective criteria:

Expect all employees of all backgrounds to meet required standards and perform to the best of their ability.

Dont set different criteria for different groups. Dont make excuses or allow employees to make excuses for shortcomings.

Base all employment actions, including discipline, on specific, performance-related criteria.

Always focus on job-related issues, not personal issues, when dealing with employees.

5.Be open-minded

Recognize, and encourage employees to recognize, that ones own experience, background, and culture are not the only ones with value to the organization.

Set an example of encouraging diversity by developing relationships with colleagues whose backgrounds differ from yours.

Look for ways to incorporate diverse perspectives and talents into efforts to achieve organizational goals.

An Employers Role in Diversity Management

Some of the diversity management skills required are: An understanding and acceptance of managing diversity concepts

Recognition that diversity is present in every aspect of management

Self-awareness in understanding your own culture, identity, prejudices and stereotypes

Willingness to challenge and change the company practices that present barriers to different groups

Tips for Managing Diversity

1. Avoid stereotypes:

Make sure you dont fall victim to these stereotypes by employing and promoting individuals solely based on their qualifications and nothing more.

2. Hold regular staff meetings:

This allows employees the chance to address any questions, comments or concerns they might have.

3. Be accepting of employees cultures:

It is important that they feel respected and appreciated. For instance, if you have a Jewish employee, be willing to give them Rosh Hashanah off.

4. Look into diversity training:

You can learn more about diversity management training courses for your employees by visiting.

Conclusion

Organizations with diverse employees are better suited to serve diverse external customers in an increasingly global market. Such organizations have a better understanding of the requirements of the legal, political, social, economic, and cultural environments.