Diversity Paper
Many women hold entry and mid-level positions but still there are few women that are in executive level jobs. In today's business world men and women are competing for the same positions. This competition has created resentment within the male work population. There are still barriers blocking women from taking on jobs that are still viewed as "a man's job". This creates negative effect on the profitability of a company. Organizations still need to work on gender discrimination problems to move in a positive direction for the future. Men and women compete for the same jobs. Organizational barriers blocking women from moving into jobs traditionally seen as "man's work" still exist. Because of this, most companies suffer gender discrimination problems that affect their profitability. Men and women are reevaluating corporate life. Many women have left the corporate world to start businesses of their own. Men are also looking at themselves and making changes in the business world and on the home front. In an article by Miller and Hollenshead found in the journal Change, issues that some of the women in the academic world were facing were not gender issues but were work/family balance issues faced by all workers. Today's man wants to have a more active role in their children's lives and this means making changes in the office. Companies are having to look at these changing values and are making adjustments so they can attract and retain their most valuable employees.
Age Differences
In today's organizations the age of the employee can vary from sixteen to over sixty years old. This range of age differences can create discrimination, stereotypes and prejudices among employees. These stereotypes and prejudices come from the misperception that as people get older their skills, physical abilities and thought processes will deteriorate and they will be unable to complete their tasks as effectively and efficiently as their younger counterparts. People are living and working longer than ever before. The older workers cannot be overlooked. These employees are more loyal, have valuable experience, have a low turnover rate and are stable when compared to the younger employee.
Religion
Our country has such diversity today that employers can hire people from different countries and religious backgrounds. In a perfect workplace the religious beliefs of an employer and employee would not create conflict. As long as the work in completed no one would have problems that are based on religion. But issues do arise and there is friction between employer and employee. Discussions and even arguments over religious principles may surface. There are many characteristics of different religions that will provide ground from conflicts, disagreements, or harassment from employers and employees. The First Amendment allows Americans to enjoy two freedoms where religion is concerned. The first freedom is the right to be free from a government-imposed religion and the second freedom is the right to practice any religion. Every company should have a written policy concerning religion in the workplace. There are so many employees in the United States and a variety of faiths, the subject of religious discrimination poses difficult questions for the employer and the court. As diversity in the workplace increases so will the need to focus on increases on religion and religious observances. "Today's workers are far more prone to do what in the past was unthinkable: practice their religion while at work. As a result, employers and employees are increasingly faced with unexpected and awkwardsituations that may create serious problems" ((Wiley & Sons, 2006).
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is defined as a quality assigned to a specific group of people connected by a common national origin or language. The face of the American worker has changed in recent years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that by 2005 the workforce in the United States would have more African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Hispanic Americans. These groups of people would make up 27 % of the work force. In order to have a positive work environment one must understand the differences that exist among different ethnic groups. Diverse working teams bring a unique perspective, thought and culture to an organization. As diversity increases in the workforce issues relating to ethnic harassment and conflict need to be investigated. Some employees may be reluctant to report such events in the workplace for fear of retaliation from other employees. Organizations must develop policies to deal with informal and formal complaint resolutions. Salaries and the opportunity to advance in an organization can be affected by cultural diverse employees. Smith and Calasanti (2005) looked at racial and ethnic minorities and women in the professoriate already achieving a level of career success to overcome obstacles and negotiate the educational process. Still, their experiences differed from their white male counterparts. They lagged behind in terms of pay and mobility, and research on other occupations revealed that even "successful" minorities experience the workplace organization differently from white men.
Cultural Diverse Workforce
It is important to address diversity in the workplace. There are many forces that are affecting the changing nature of the workforce including the globalization of labor and customer markets, restructuring of organizations, such as joint ventures and mergers which bring corporate cultures together.
Conclusion
Learning to accept diversity in the workplace has benefited many organizations. Many organizations have resulted in providing annual diversity training to help provide employees better understand some of the differences regarding race, gender, religion, age and sexuality. After all, employees are hired to perform a job duty, creating a workplace free of hostilities and preconceived notions will help in allowing these duties to take place.
References
John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from the University of Phoenix rEsource, GEN331-Organizational Behavior Web site.
Smith, J. & Calasanti, T. (2005, May/June). The influences of gender, race and ethnicity on workplace experiences of institutional and social isolation: an exploratory study of university faculty. Social Spectrum, Vol. 25 Issue 3, p307-334, 28p. Retrieved July 26, 2009 from the EBSCOhost database.