Diversity in the Workplace:
Where Do I Fit In?
L. Jerry Knighton, Jr.
Workplace Issues for the New Millennium
What can I expect to learn?
This presentation will show:
 How people encounter subtle, and non-subtle,
discrimination everyday
 How casual bias can bring on stress, anger, and
resentment; thus impairing performance
 Why policies and procedures should value
differences rather than ignore them
 How everyone has a responsibility to build a culture
that welcomes diversity
Definition of Diversity
The full utilization of all human resources that create
a climate of mutual understanding and respects
differences and similarities.
What is Culture?
The set of shared
attitudes, values,
goals, and
practices that
characterizes a
company or
corporation
(Merriam Webster
Dictionary)
The customary
beliefs, social
forms, and
material traits of a
racial, religious, or
social group
(Merriam Webster
Dictionary)
Places
Primary Dimensions of Diversity
 Age
 Race/Ethnicity
 Gender
 Physical Ability
 Sexual Orientation
Secondary Dimensions of Diversity
 Educational







Background
Geographic Location
Income
Marital Status
Military Experience
Parental Status
Religious Beliefs
Work Experience
What is culture?
Diversity Dimensions
Work
Background
Primary Dimensions:
Serve as core elements and shape
our basic self-image and our
fundamental world view. They help
form our core expectations of others
in our personal and professional
life.
Secondary Dimensions:
Serve as independent influences on
our self esteem and self definition.
This influence varies with who we
are, our stage of life, and changes
we have experienced.
Marilyn Loden and Judy B. Rosener
(1991) Workforce America:
Managing Diversity as a Vital
Resource.
Age
Sexual
Orientation
Parental
Status
Physical
Qualities
Race
Gender
Ethnicity
Religious
Beliefs
CULTURE
Martial
Status
Culture Plays a Role
in Diversity Efforts
Individual
attitudes
toward diversity
Problem
solving skills
Diversity Efforts are Challenging
Family
Ethnicity
Hierarchy
Different
histories
Roles
Different
celebrations and
Size
of members
of family unit
Cohesion
of family unit
Language
Communication
Prevents
festivals
Different races
Religion
break down
clear understanding
Practices
may seem
inhumane
Beliefs
norm
are against the
Forms of Bias…
Exclusion
and invisibility
Stereotyping
Imbalance
and selectivity
Fragmentation
and isolation
What Organizations Must Do to
Manage Diversity
 Demonstrate commitment from
the top
 Seek involvement and
commitment from the bottom
up
 Teach a wide array of
management techniques that
work cross culturally
 Integrate diversity into the
fabric of the organization
Success Measures…
Retains
employees through building a stronger sense of
community
Raises
level of cultural competency (reducing potential
litigation
Acknowledges
differences instead of trying to make
everyone fit one mold
Creates
an environment where all employees feel
comfortable
Encourages
new ideas and perspectives.
How to Develop a Diversity Mind-Set
 Get beyond ethnocentrism
 Emphasize common experience that unify rather than
differences that divide
 Demonstrate values through actions, not words
 Remember that diversity includes everyone