Diversity in the Workplace

Diversity in the Workplace

"With an increasingly diverse workforce due to changing demographics, the landscape of the labor market and dynamics of the relationships at the workplace are also changing" (Lora, 2005, para. 1). Workplace diversity has evolved over the past years. Many changes have occurred. However, there are still challenges to face in the future. Some changes have occurred because of how diversity was and still is managed. Other factors like social class, culture, religion, and gender also have an effect on the workplace environment (University of Phoenix, 2011).

Changes over the Years

Before the 1960s civil right movements, it seemed that employers were trying to keep the minorities out; today they are trying to bring them in. "Larger corporations are waking up to the population shift that has been occurring and trying to take advantage of it to capture a larger market share or at least to position themselves to do something in the near future" (Lora, 2005, para. 2). With the change time has brought and with the existing corporate climate people can accomplish more than ever before.

Organizations are trying to understanding the multicultural composition and diverse makeup of their employees (Lora, 2005). Some organizations have recruiting teams and departments dedicated to managing diversity and any issues that relate while other organizations have outsourced the same responsibilities to smaller companies. Most organizations even offer diversity training now. It was a slow process but minorities are creating a difference in the workplace.

Challenges and Approaches

Challenges are still present in diverse workplaces and managing them can be a task. Achieving true diversity in the workplace can be a challenge because this requires change. As with anything that requires change it establishes attitudes and behaviors. Different factors contribute to the challenges of diversity. The main challenge is resistance to change by employees and employers. Other common challenges in the workplace are implementation of diversity-related policies, diversity management, and communication.

One approach to managing diversity is to know there is more to people than their visual differences. According to Green, K. A., López, M., Wysocki, A., and Kepner, K. (2011), "It involves recognizing the values of differences, combating discrimination, and promoting inclusiveness" (Challenges of Diversity in the Workplace, para 11). Equal opportunity is the dominant term used by organizations to frame their approach to managing differences, discrimination, and disadvantages. The "Four Approaches to Diversity in the Workplace" (2011) website mentions other approaches to managing diversity are brand imaging, affirmative action, culture of acceptance, and maximizing performances employees.

According to the "Four Approaches to Diversity in the Workplace" (2011), the purpose of brand imaging is "to create a 'brand image' that values the diversity of its