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Are you at work right now? Have a look around you… in 2009 chances are that you are one of many colorful and diverse individuals that are working alongside with you.
Whether its race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sex or another unique characteristic, workplace diversity has become a reality in many work environments.
Diversity in a company is potentially beneficial to both employers and employees. It can result in better decision making, greater innovation and creativity which can lead to improved business development and product development, all resulting in potentially increased sales to a broader range of consumers.
In addition, a diverse and multicultural workplace can also have more intangible benefits. For example, by building a diverse environment you are supporting open dialogue and discussion amongst employees, resulting in a more relaxed and productive environment.
Another benefit of a diverse work environment is that employee retention can be much higher for companies that have greater diversity. People like to feel comfortable in their work environment that includes a diverse range of employees. Nobody likes to be “the only one” at work. Therefore, a diversified workforce allows people to socialize and relax with co-workers which leads to higher job satisfaction and less employee turnover.
Have a look at this interesting video discussing workplace diversity, not whether but how!
While there are a number of benefits, there can certainly also be challenges that arise as a result of having a diverse work environment.
A key challenge can be communication - overcoming cultural, language and perceptual barriers. These can all contribute to lack of teamwork, moral and productivity which can be very problematic. Ensure that you continue to communicate sensibly to employees in order to avoid this pitfall.
Other challenges include a reluctance to accept change, and perhaps even diversity itself. There will always be individuals who prefer to do things the way they’ve always been done. This attitude inhibits innovation and can present a challenge to managers.
One major step you can take to avoid any challenges and take full advantage of the diversity that surrounds you, is to create and implement a diversity plan for your own company. Outline the steps you’ll take to include diversity into your work environment, covering all aspects from decision making to hiring selection.
For more information on how to take advantage of a diverse work environment, visit the experts at ClearFit.