Diversity in the Workplace
Objective 2.01: Differentiate between
positive and negative interpersonal
skills in a variety of workplace settings.
What is Diversity???
• Variety; the positive result of people in different
racial, ethic, and cultural backgrounds working
together.
• “The term DIVERSITY refers to the many factors
that make people different.
• Diversity involves respecting people’s differences.
When diversity is supported, everyone is allowed
to maintain his/her individuality.
• People are not forced to change how they live,
speak, look, or think so as to be more like the
majority.”
Cultural Heritage
• Cultural Heritage determines what beliefs,
learned behaviors and language pass through
the generations to each individual.
– 5 Largest Racial/Ethnic Groups in the US:
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Native Americans
European Americans
Asian Americans
African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Language
• Language diversity often causes employees,
employers and customers to misunderstand
one another.
• Different languages in the workplace are a
growing issue.
Religion
• Religions often cause conflict due to “offtime” issues related to specific religious events
of a particular religion.
Gender
• More women (55%) work than in any other
time period in American history.
Age
• The number of working older Americans is
increasing rapidly (55% increase since 1975).
• While older workers can bring valuable
insight, experience and dependable work
habits to the workplace, if they don’t update
their skills, they will have difficulty
holding/seeking employment.
Disability
• Eight percent of the population is affected by
a disability.
• More disabled workers than ever are
providing valuable services to
employers/businesses due to changing
attitudes and federal law.
Benefits of Diversity
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There are fewer lawsuits
Morale is high.
Creativity increases.
Productivity increases.
Quality workers are attracted to the organization
The decision-making process improves.
Decision-making speed improves.
More customers are reached.
Goodwill and positive ties are formed with
businesses and government groups.
Promoting Diversity in the Workplace
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Show flexibility.
Examine your assumptions, prejudices and stereotypes.
Explore different cultures.
Show patience in communicating and understanding.
Admit unfamiliarity of diverse customs along with a
willingness to learn more about them.
• Show respect for ideas different from your own.
• Avoid stereotypical jokes/humor.
• See the humanity in every person.
The Law and Discrimination
• The Fair Labor Standards Act – Ensures fair treatment of employees
by employers
• The Equal Pay Act of 1963 – Forbids separate pay scales for women
and men
• The Civil Rights Act-Banned employment discrimination on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act –Banned discrimination
against workers over 40 years of age
• The Immigration and Reform Act-Banned discrimination against
legal immigrants
• The Americans with Disabilities Act-Requires employers to provide
employees with reasonable accommodations in the workplace
environment; Prevents discrimination on the basis of disability
Organizations
• The Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs (OFCCP)
• The Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC)
The Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
• The purpose of the Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs is to enforce, for the
benefit of job seekers and wage earners, the
contractual promise of affirmative action and
equal employment opportunity required of those
who do business with the Federal government.
http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/
The Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC)
• The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is
responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate
against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color,
religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older),
disability or genetic information. It is also illegal to discriminate against a
person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a
charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination
investigation or lawsuit.
• Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20
employees in age discrimination cases). Most labor unions and
employment agencies are also covered.
• The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing,
promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.
http://www.eeoc.gov/
Types of Discrimination
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Gender
Racial
Color
National Origin
Language
Religious
Disabilities
Age
Height and Weight
Sexual Orientation
Sexual Harassment
References
• EEOC Overview. (2014). U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission. Retrieved February 9,
2014, from http://www.eeoc.gov/
• Objective 2.01 Instructional Handouts. (2006).
Career Management Curriculum Guide. Retrieved
February 9, 2014.
• OFCCP Mission. (2014). United States
Department of Labor. Retrieved February 9, 2014,
from http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/
Review Questions
• Answer the next few questions based on what
you have learned from the Diversity in the
Workplace PowerPoint Presentation.
Click Here!!!
Question 1
• The positive result of people in different racial,
ethic, and cultural backgrounds working
together is”
Discrimination
Cultural Heritage
Diversity
Stereotype
Question 2
• Which of the following is not considered one
of the 5 largest Racial/Ethnic Groups in the
U.S.
Native Americans
European
Americans
African Americans
Italian Americans
Question 3
• The number of working older Americans is
increasing rapidly (____ increase since 1975).
45%
55%
15%
25%
Question 4
• _______ percent of the population is affected
by a disability.
Eight
Ten
Four
Twenty
Question 5
• Which of the following is not a form of
discrimination?
Language
Weight
Diversity
Age
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The End!!!