Diversity: Current Policies in the Workplace

Essay by siakajoeUniversity, Master'sB+, June 2010

download word file, 5 pages 0.0

Diversity: Current Policies in the workplace

The face of the business world is global. This globalization has led to business leaders examining the need to address the complex issue of diversity in the workplace and how to use diversity as a competitive advantage. Unfortunately, not all companies are addressing diversity with the same passion as others. What are the best practices that have been utilized by leaders in diversity? According to Vallario, (2006, p.51) there are seven best practices for valuing diversity within the workplace. This paper will review five of the seven best practices as well highlight some of the organization leaders who have implemented these best practices. Finally, it will evaluate the writer's current organization based on these best practices and address ethical codes, standards and laws found in a diverse workplace in organizations.

Lead the change

It is proposed that the potentially constructive or destructive impact of diversity accepted in the workplace starts at the executive level of an organization.

Diversity programs need to be a reflection of the organizational culture. The programs need to recognize and appreciate differences in the members of the workforce and appreciate their contribution to the organization's overall business strategy (Williams, 2007). Cultural diversity reflects the unique sets of values, beliefs, attitudes, and expectations, which leads a company to focus on the needs of employees.

Montgomery College in the state of Maryland has been recognized for making their employees feel valued through their diversity program. The president of Montgomery College says diversity has a direct impact on their bottom line (Williams, 2007, p. 14). From encouraging their employees to get involved in community events focused on diverse groups or hosting a diversity summit meeting for their managers to have business resource groups which represent a variety of diversity groups such as: African-American,