NZQA Assessment Support Material
Unit standard
377
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of diversity in the workplace
Level
2
Vocational pathways
Credits
2
Version
7
Primary Industries; Social and Community Services
Assessor guidelines
Introduction
The following guidelines are supplied to enable assessors to carry out valid and consistent
assessment using this internal assessment resource.
As with all assessment resources, education providers will need to follow their own quality control
processes. Assessors must manage authenticity for any assessment from a public source,
because learners may have access to the assessment schedule or exemplar material. Using this
assessment resource without modification may mean that learners' work is not authentic. The
assessor/educator may need to change figures, measurements or data sources or set a different
context or topic. Assessors need to consider the local context in which learning is taking place and
its relevance for learners.
Assessors need to be very familiar with the outcome being assessed by the unit standard. The
evidence requirements and the explanatory notes contain information, definitions, and
requirements that are crucial when interpreting the standard and assessing learners against it.
Context/setting
This activity requires learners to show they can:

Demonstrate knowledge of diversity in the workplace.
377 version 7
Assessor guidelines
ASM version 2
Page 1 of 5
November 2015
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Level of performance expected
This is a level 2 standard. This means learners should be:

Using basic factual and/or operational knowledge of a field of work or study.

Applying known solutions to familiar problems and applying standard processes relevant to the
field of work or study.

Working under general supervision, taking some responsibility for their own learning and
performance and collaborating with others.
Conditions of assessment
Assessment can occur in a workplace or in a training or educational establishment. There are no
requirements for simulated workplace conditions.
Definition
Diversity refers to differences between colleagues including, but not limited to, ethnic origin, age,
gender, religion, intellectual and physical disabilities.
377 version 7
Assessor guidelines
ASM version 2
Page 2 of 5
November 2015
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Assessment Schedule
Unit standard
377
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of diversity in the workplace
Level
2
Credits
2
Version
Evidence for achieved
Outcome 1
1.1
Judgements for achieved
Demonstrate knowledge of diversity in the workplace.
Diversity in the workplace is described in
terms of its possible effect on interpersonal
relationships.
Worksheet 1 - Diversity in the workplace.
Task 1
See sample answers.
Learner states four types of diversity in the
workplace. Diversity refers to differences between
colleagues including, but not limited to, ethnic origin,
age, gender, religion, intellectual and physical
disabilities.
Range evidence of four examples of
diversity is required.
1.2
7
Contributions arising from diversity are
identified and described in terms of
workplace relationships.
For each example, a possible effect on interpersonal
relationships is described.
1.3
Challenges arising from diversity are
identified and described in terms of
workplace relationships.
For each example, a contribution and a challenge
are identified and described in terms of workplace
relationships:
1.4
Strategies are described which support
positive relationships in a diverse workplace.
For each example, a strategy is described which
supports positive relationships in a diverse
workplace.
Judgements should be holistic, rather than based on a checklist approach.
377 version 7
Assessor guidelines
ASM version 2
Page 3 of 5
November 2015
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Sample answers for unit standard 377
Worksheet
Diversity in the workplace
You will be given four copies of this worksheet. Complete all the questions for four different
examples of diversity, one example on each page.
1. Give a type of diversity in the workplace.
2. How might that difference between people affect interpersonal relationships in the workplace?
3. Describe one way that difference between people may contribute to the workplace.
4. Describe a challenge that may be caused by that difference between colleagues.
5. Describe a strategy to support positive relationships in a workplace with that type of diversity.
Type of diversity
Ethnic origin
Effect on interpersonal relationships
Ethnic groups have different behaviours and vocabulary which are acceptable in
communication. This may be enriching, confusing or confronting for some people. Assumptions
or stereotypes about the way other ethnic groups behave may cause misunderstanding.
Contribution
Some ethnic groups use very polite language with everyone, particularly showing respect to
older people. This would be a positive influence on the whole workplace.
Challenge
Someone who speaks with a heavy foreign accent may be hard for others to understand,
especially if they are giving instructions.
Strategy
Say to the person, ’We want to do what you are asking us to, but we’re not so clear on what you
just said – how about if one of us writes that process up in a notice for all of us?”
377 version 7
Assessor guidelines
ASM version 2
Page 4 of 5
November 2015
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Worksheet
Diversity in the workplace
You will be given four copies of this worksheet. Complete all the questions for four different types
of diversity, one type on each page.
1. State a type of diversity in the workplace.
2. How might that THAT difference between people affect interpersonal relationships in the
workplace?
3. Describe one way THAT difference between people may contribute to the workplace.
4. Describe a challenge that may be caused by THAT difference between colleagues.
5. Describe a strategy to support positive relationships in a workplace with that type of diversity.
Type of diversity
Gender
Effect on interpersonal relationships in the workplace
Males and females may prefer different ways of communicating and this may be enriching,
confusing or confronting for some people. Assumptions about the way males and females
behave may cause misunderstanding. Some people may behave differently when in groups of
mixed gender (this may be positive or negative).
Contribution to the workplace
Having a mix of male and female co-workers allows for different family needs or responsibilities
to be taken into account when deciding things like social occasions or who can work overtime.
Challenge in the workplace
There could be an expectation by workers to assume that a woman will volunteer to clean up the
kitchen each day.
Strategy
Set up a roster and have the expectation that everyone does their share of the clean-up. Point
out that it’s part of being a team, and relying on just the women is sexist.
377 version 7
Assessor guidelines
ASM version 2
Page 5 of 5
November 2015
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016