Diversity in the workplace simply means that differences in the workforce are both acknowledged and worked with. Some of the differences encompassing Diversity in the workforce can refer to ethnicity, race, gender, age, cognitive style, education, creed, and a host of other factors. The primary concept to understand is that despite these differences, all employees are respected and treated equally. This respect is taught as a part of corporate culture, so that all workers understand that differences are to be acknowledged and given respect.
Human resources professionals know that for a large organization to function smoothly, differences in the way people address communication, change, and growth must be encouraged and respected, rather than stifled or repressed. Corporations that try to mold everyone into a homogonous, stale uniformity tend to have higher turnover and lower morale. On the other hand, companies that embrace Diversity in the workplace will quickly see a boost in morale, lower absenteeism and turnover, and higher productivity among the employees.
There are many benefits for the company as a whole when Diversity and equality is made an important value for the corporate culture. For one, having a greater range of viewpoints can help managers see angles to business problems they might not have considered. The more viewpoints you can bring to bear on a specific problem or opportunity, the more likely it is that the solution will be well-considered, and profitable to all concerned.
Diversity in the workplace also helps companies to be more adaptable. In a global economy, it is important to be able to understand the values and cultures of customers from around the world, and having a diverse workforce can help achieve that.
Too, the more diverse a company's workforce, the more the company will be able to offer to its customers. With a wider range of background and abilities comes a wider range of skill sets that can be leveraged into new and unique product and service offerings.
In turn, greater productive output from the workers leads to higher profit margins for the company as a whole. When the average output per employee is increased, and when workers feel a greater freedom in coming forward with new or innovative ideas, the natural result is a boost to the bottom line - a competitive advantage for any company, regardless of the industry or sector.
People feel valued when their viewpoints and differences are acknowledged. Workers who feel that their unique characteristics are valued and respected have much higher morale, and as such, tend to contribute much more to the company. They work harder, they are loyal, and they are more dedicated to the task at hand. With greater profits comes enhanced company growth, and with greater growth one sees new hiring, new jobs, and new opportunities. Truly, Diversity in the workforce isn't just a great thing to do; it's a profitable one for all concerned.
