While researching topics for this week’s post, I came across an article regarding the importance of diversity in the workplace. Harris Interactive conducted a survey of executives and asked their opinion on the importance of diversity and its relevancy to business. 95% of those surveyed said that management viewed creating a diverse workforce a major goal. 93% said that diversity was treated as a key business driver, impacting business goals, strategies and results at their organization.
While I was excited to read these percentages, I started to wonder “how are companies defining diversity?” Are they only considering race and or gender? Are they factoring in age, sexual orientations? Are they allowing for cultural differences within races and ethnic backgrounds?
All companies are legally required to abide by Equal Employment Opportunity Laws (EEO) which:
1.) Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
2.) Protects men and woman who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination.
3.) Prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who work in the federal government.
4.) Provided monetary damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination.
So while companies may not be guilty of discrimination and in the process employ individuals of various racial, gender, and religious backgrounds – does this count as being diverse?
Many companies say no. The EEO laws were designed to ensure fair treatment of all employees but as the workforce has become more global, so should the workplace. Companies are also considering Education, Gender Identity, Geographic Background, Language, Life Experiences, Lifestyle, and Thinking Patterns. They are creating inclusion initiatives too which enables organizations to realize the benefits of innovation and creativity diversity allows.
Are you interested in working for an organization like this?? If you are currently employed, talk to your management or Human Resources and inquire if such an initiative exists and if not how could you be involved in starting one. If you are seeking/interviewing, ask Human Resources for the company’s policy on diversity and inclusion.
