Diversity in the Workplace

2 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Objectives Understand why diversity awareness in the workplace is important Understand how stereotypes, prejudice, and other “isms” interfere with our understanding of and ability to work with people who are different Explore strategies to prevent behaviors that are a barrier to valuing diversity in the workplace

3 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Why Diversity Awareness is Important –Approximately one in three U.S. residents is a minority –Women comprise 46% of the current U.S. labor force and are projected to account for 47% by 2014 –17% of today’s workforce is 55 or older; it is estimated that this may increase to 24% by the year 2020 –Foreign-born workers make up 15% of the U.S. workforce –51.8% of families are dual-career families –It is projected that Asian– Americans will comprise 8 % of the total population by 2050 –There are 44,000 black physicians and surgeons, 79,400 postsecondary teachers, 45,200 lawyers, and 49,300 chief executives –About 33% of women over age 25 attained a bachelor’s or higher degree (compared to 26% of men)

4 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Diversity in the U.S. - “Fitting In” and “Standing Out” The Melting Pot - Blend cultures and races to achieve a common identity - “Melting” together into one common American race - Value on “sameness” The Salad Bowl - Sameness is neither ideal nor possible - Movement towards cultural pluralism - Americans are comprised of many different cultures, races

5 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Understanding Valuing Differences in the Global Workplace Initially focused on single corporate culture valuing sameness Laws passed to protect against discrimination based on differences Understanding and valuing differences in the workplace

6 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Stereotypes, Prejudice, and “Isms” Stereotypes - Fixed or conventional notions that deny individuality Prejudice - Opinions or feelings that were preconceived or formed beforehand or without any conscious knowledge, thought, or reason Other “Isms” - A regard for all members of a particular group as the same and in an unfavorable light

7 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Reducing and Eliminating Stereotypes, Prejudice, and “Isms” Increase awareness Examine beliefs Educate yourself Experience other cultures

8 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Interrupting Prejudice What could you say or do in the following situations to interrupt prejudice? –Another employee gathers a group of peers together and tells a dirty joke that is quite disparaging of women. –Someone comments that he/she avoids spending leisure time in the downtown area because of all the minorities. –A new employee in your group mentions that s/he lives in an area well known as a neighborhood where a lot of gays and lesbians live. Other employees in your group begin to call her/him “homo.” –When an employee says s/he is not interested in going out for a night of hard drinking with the group, other employees give him/her a hard time. –You have a new teammate who is over 50 and has snow-white hair. You overhear other employees calling him “Gramps” and asking him how someone his age can keep up with the fast-paced technological advances.

9 06/29/2007 2:30pm eSlide - P WorkLife4You Diversity Awareness “ People and their differences make up the foundation of an organization’s ability to develop broad perspectives and to approach business problems in new and creative ways.” Barbara Walker, Valuing Differences

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