. Chapter 17 The future of managing diversity in Australia John Burgess, Glenda Strachan and Erica French Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-1

. Overview The drivers for managing diversity (MD) programs The link between managing diversity and human resource management The role of stakeholders in managing diversity programs Challenges and opportunities for managing diversity in Australia Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-2

. The drivers for MD programs There is a need to attract and retain staff. MD policies recognise the increasing diversity of the workforce. An ageing population highlights the need for new ways of designing jobs and new forms of working arrangements. Knowledge and ‘soft’ skills are important sources of competitive advantage – organisations require programs that actively harness the potential of employees. Corporate social responsibility raises issues to do with labour standards. Changes in the business cycle have not diminished these drivers for MD programs. Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-3

. The link between MD and HRM MD programs can nurture employee potential, contribute to organisational capacity building and demonstrate commitment to broader community objectives. Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-4

. The role of stakeholders in MD programs Organisations need to use the expertise of interest and community groups if they are to develop effective MD programs. These include community groups who give voice to those who may be discriminated against or excluded by organisational practices. Trade unions also have an active role to play in the development, implementation and evaluation of MD programs. There is a role for government in setting guidelines, providing advice and recognising best- practice arrangements. Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-5

. Challenges and opportunities for MD in Australia MD is in its early stages of development and implementation in Australian organisations. Private sector employers are realising that there is a strong business case for MD and that they can develop innovative workplace and employment programs to attract and retain valuable employees. Current research shows that private sector organisation have a commitment to MD but very little substance regarding specific programs or their evaluation. Key stakeholders have a role to play in articulating how organisations can better accommodate and retain employees. Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-6

. Challenges and opportunities for MD in Australia (cont.) The public sector often took the lead as a ‘model employer’ in addressing equity and diversity issues and its role in developing Indigenous employment programs has been very important. There are extensive opportunities for organisations to be innovative and to demonstrate leadership in MD programs. Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-7

. Challenges and opportunities for MD in Australia (cont.) There are opportunities for benchmarking and highlighting best-practice programs. This leads to the need for developing metrics and evaluating the effectiveness of such programs. What role is there for MD in small organisations with a few employees? The vast majority of Australian organisations do not have a professional HRM division. Through benchmarking and dissemination of best practice, effective MD practices can be communicated to all Australian organisations. Effective MD practice need not be the exclusive domain of large businesses and the public sector, nor is an HRM division required for implementing MD programs. Copyright  2010 McGraw-Hill Australia Pty Ltd PPTs to accompany Strachan, French and Burgess, Managing Diversity 17-8