7 Wide Variety of Diversity That Modern Workplaces Must Address

In order to change the culture of their businesses, workplaces have started creating diversity and integration programs. Nevertheless, many people think that diversity is based on gender, ethnicity and culture only and forget about other essential factors such as socioeconomic status or disability. Ethnicity, race generation and age, genders and sexual orientation, gender expression, religious views as well as impairment are among the various manifestations of workplace diversity (Rahman 2016). Different types of diversity at work; why every firm should promote inclusivity has been a subject matter today.

The traditional definition of diversity within a social context suggests that varieties may be endless. Every feature which does not match with another person indicates the extent to which they differ from each other. There are seven major types to consider when it comes to workplace diversity:

Ethnicity and race

When talking about workplace diversity racial and ethnic backgrounds play an important role in this area. Given the long uneasy history regarding black/white relations in America & elsewhere worldwide. These terms are often used interchangeably although their meanings differ (Roos 2016). Race which is a biological term consists of physical features like color of skin, type of hair among others. Like average lifespan or treatment under a particular criminal justice system race can affect several things (D’Amato 2020). In contrast to this ethnicity signifies someone’s cultural lineage comprising many diverse ethnic or racial identities (Bresnahan 2014). It’s about geography or culture but not biology; different races bring different ideas to the office (Hoffmann 2018). According to McKinsey’s recent study companies whose ethnic mix is varied by at least 35% are more likely to be more profitable.

Generation and Age

For example age is commonly defined by generation: baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y also known as millennials as well as Z.

Although people within the same range do not act alike naturally, youth still defines them somehow. As an example, generation Z were born around 1995 and never experienced life without Internet or mobile phones (Mishra & Mishra 2018). This makes it think differently from people who lived in the 1970s. For instance, many companies may perpetuate age bias intentionally or unintentionally. In this case by only targeting campuses in college for hiring you will lose older people who can also become entry level staff (Pace 2014). Yet, some organizations are mostly interested in experienced employees only due to their age and not young graduates with needed skills.

Gender Identity and Gender Expression

Since women constitute half of the state’s population, equal participation in employment is crucial. This is one of the most visible types of diversity-- gender-diverse workplaces are about equality rather than the number of female and male employees in a company. In order to be considered a genuinely diverse organisation with respect to gender, you must address the issue of gender pay gap which occurs when women earn less than men for doing the same job. For a company to be gender diverse it should be able to solve issues such as those pertaining to gender pay gaps where women continuously earn less money for similar work done as their male counterparts do. For companies to succeed they need to investigate some of its’ limitations that occur in both sexes while working and determine on how they can get rid of some constraints for its employees. The language used in human resources policies should reflect inclusivity. This is because such terms may upset persons belonging different genders including transgender, agender, etc.

Sexual Preference

Sexual orientation or sexuality refers to who someone is attracted towards. It is undoubtedly an individual thing but workers must feel comfortable sharing their sexual preferences with colleagues without being discriminated against or harassed at work places. At work place, members of LGBTQ+ community experience numerous challenges due to their different backgrounds and interests. There requires protection by an organisation for sexual minority members hereof A healthy working environment improves morale and promotes staff retention.

Beliefs in Religion and Spirituality

Different people across the globe follow various religions Faith-based activities are opted for by many other employees also within religious beliefs henceforth diversity that needs fostering in your workplace will require that you are sensitive about unconscious religious biases within your company Goals entailing happiness inside the office may be accomplished through freedom to exercise their religion like putting on a rosary or hijab among others By providing worship centers, specific religious days off and holidays a diverse organisational culture can be formed.

Disability

Most people think that disability is only related to physical movement. Nonetheless, employees may have disabilities ranging from sight and mobility challenges to issues with intellectual functioning and mental health condition. If you want to advocate for diversity then inclusive practices must include disabled people who are as good in their jobs as other staff members. Businesses should also focus on making the environment accessible for all staff members by installing lifts and ramps instead of staircases. Use headphones plugged into mobile phones or screen readers as means of improving communication.

Background and Socioeconomic Status

Different employees from a range of financial backgrounds hold divergent views on many aspects including wealth, social standing, education among others inside the family life People raised up in poverty, for instance, may possess a different perspective from another person born in an affluent home It is important to know if your company values inclusion of workers from different areas. Additionally there must be no evaluation based on somebody’s social position in an organisation This can only be ensured when job advertisements are done through newspaper adverts alone rather than online searches.

Conclusion

The importance of diversity within the workplace cannot be overemphasised by any organisation Seven types of workplace diversity every business needs to center on were identified; begin now if you haven’t done so yet.