Workforce Diversity in HRM

 

What is Workforce Diversity?

For an organization looking to cultivate a more diverse and inclusive workplace, it is important to understand what constitutes workplace diversity.

Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between individuals in an organization. Diversity not only includes how individuals identify themselves but also how others perceive them. Diversity within a workplace encompasses race, gender, ethnic groups, age, religion, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military service and mental and physical conditions, as well as other distinct differences between people. (Dyson, 2022)

Types of Workforce Diversity

The types of diversity that can exist inside a social construct are potentially endless. It includes every characteristic and trait that exists in a group of people. However, there are six major types of diversity that we can typically observe in the workplace.

1. Race and ethnicity

The most crucial aspects when discussing workplace diversity are race and ethnicity. A person's race, which includes physical characteristics like skin color and hair type, is their biological identity.  However, ethnicity is primarily focused on a person's upbringing in terms of culture. There are numerous racial or ethnic identities included in it. It is less about biology and more on geography or cultural history.

2. Age group

Every organization has people of different ages in it. Depending on the individual's birth year and the particular social, political, and economic events that occurred during their formative years, each age group has distinct features.

Such discrepancies could lead to ageism and offer difficulties in the workplace. The tendency to judge another person unfavorably because of their age is known as ageism in the workplace.

3. Gender Identity

Gender roles are social constructions that vary between countries and are based on biological sex. They are given a name at birth. The male and female gender binaries are created when a youngster is assigned a gender. A spectrum of gender identities may or may not match the sex assigned at birth in addition to these simple binary choices.

 Examples of common non-binary gender identities include demi gender, non-binary, transgender, genderqueer, and gender fluid. Other non-binary identities do exist, though. Furthermore, there are several gender identities, including a gender, non-gendered, genderless, and gender-free. It's courteous to inquire about someone's preferred pronouns since you should keep in mind that people may identify differently from how you see them.

4. Physical Abilities and Disabilities

Your team will become more inclusive and varied as a result of hiring people with a range of impairments and life experiences. To assist your company reach a wider range of consumers and clients, the team will also introduce new viewpoints and ideas. People frequently believe that a disability has to do with their physical mobility. Employees, however, may have a range of impairments that impair their eyesight, cognition, and other processes. You must make accommodations for those with disabilities who can be equally as productive as their coworkers if you wish to promote diversity.

Advantage	Disadvantage
This design allows each team member to focus on their strengths.	Hiring managers focus on leadership qualities too often.
It increases the number of job opportunities for minority workers.	Diversity can create workers who are over-qualified for some jobs.
Employers have more chances to cross-train workers and teams.	Diversity in the workplace can create too many opinions.
Companies have access to more talent.	Offshoring can become a point of emphasis with diversity in the workplace.
This perspective can help companies to start growing bigger and faster.	Diversity in the workplace can lessen the amount of trust that exists.
Diversity in the workplace creates more revenue-earning opportunities.	Some teams become hostile during an increase in diversity.
It is a way to increase the creativity of an entire team.	Diversity in the workplace can create communication problems.
Diversity in the workplace exposes societal bias.	Diversity initiatives are usually left to a single person to implement.
Customers are attracted to diversity in the workplace.	Complaint levels often rise with a diversity initiative.

 

 

 

Challenges of Diversity In The Workplace

1. Language & Communication Barriers

2.  Discrimination Risks 

3. Cultural Misunderstandings

4. Potential for Conflict

5.   Gender Equality

 

Conclusion

Implementing diversity in the workplace does have its challenges. However, you can overcome most of these challenges, which are less significant than the benefits of inclusion and diversity. So, ensure that your business actively promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace from the beginning.

References

perelson, 2022. www.perelson.com. [Online]
Available at: https://perelson.com/the-importance-of-diversity-in-the-workplace/
[Accessed 20 04 2023].

pockethrms, 2021. www.pockethrms.com. [Online]
Available at: https://www.pockethrms.com/blog/workforce-diversity/
[Accessed 19 04 2022].