Chap 4 Diversity Skill

Divesity skill is the ability to

The ability to establish and maintain a workforce that represents a combination of assorted characteristics to achieve collective success; this skill can help you build a more creative organization

What is Diversity

the combination of races, ethnicities, religions, social classes, physical abilities, and sexual orientations that shape the identities and the experiences of an organization’s workforc

What is Race

a division of people based on physical features or appearance (skin color, hair color, eyes, etc.)

What is Ethnicity

a categorization based on language, culture, history, or common ancestry (customs, religion, food, music, values, beliefs, fashion, etc.)

Whay is Nationality

citizenship in a particular nation

What are the two social implications of diversity?

1. Majority Group

2. Minority Group

Advantages of Diversity in Organizations

1. Improved ability to gain and keep market share – e.g. when customers relate better to salespeople of the same ethnic background

2. Increased productivity and motivation – e.g. employees feel valued, improved morale and performance, diversity becomes the spark that ignites innovation

3. Better quality of managers – e.g. larger pool of information and approaches to solve problems, improved decision-making

4. More resilient when faced with change – e.g. having shared values, the feeling of having overcome prior challenges

Challenges that Managers Face Working with Diverse Populations

1. Changing Demographics

2. Multigenerational Workforce

3. Ethnocentrism

4. Negative Dynamics and Specific Groups

What are Changing Demographics

[statistical characteristics of a population]

Five Demographic Issues in Most Developed Countries:

The population and the workforce will grow more slowly than at any time since the 1930s

The average age of the population and the workforce will rise, and the pool of young workers entering the labor market will shrink

More women will enter the workforce

Minorities will make up a larger share of new entrants into the labor force

Immigrants will represent the largest share of the increase in the population and workforce.

Multigenerational Workforce

1. 1925 - 1945 - The silent generation

2. 1946 – 1964 - The Baby Boomers

3. 1965 – 1979 - Gen X

4. 1980 – 1994 - Gen Y or Millennials

5. 1995 – 2012 - Gen Z

6. 2013 – 2025 - Gen Alpha

What is Reverse Mentoring

a process that pairs a

senior employee with a junior employee for

the purpose of transferring work skills from

the junior employee to the more senior

employee

what is Ethnocentrism

[the belief that one’s own group, culture, country, or customs are superior to those of others]

What are the 3 types of Ethnocentrism

1. Prejudice

2. Stereotype

3. Discrimination

Prejudice

a preconceived judgment or opinion held against individuals or groups based on their characteristics, such as race, gender, age, etc.

Stereotype

a positive or negative assessment of members of a group or their perceived attributes

Discrimination

the act of treating an issue, person,

or behavior unjustly on the basis of prejudices or stereotypes

4 Negative Dynamics and Specific Groups

1. Women and Gender Roles – women often face pressures or high expectations from other women, or gender-role stereotypes

2. Bicultural Stress – the stress experienced by minority groups from coping with being part of the dominant culture and their particular racial or ethnic culture

3. Older Employees – most older employees lack technology skills, and possible increased benefit costs to the organization due to their healthcare needs

4. Workers with Disabilities —– often stereotyped as less efficient, more costly to the organization due to accessibility ramps, elevators, washroom facilities, etc.