What is Workforce Diversity

Definition: Workforce diversity, in simple terms, refers to the inclusion of employees from heterogeneous backgrounds. This background can be anything concerning their age, sexual orientation, nationality or marital status.

Every industry works on the pillars of cooperation, respect and harmony. With the diverse set of professionals coming from varied backgrounds, cultures, ethnicity, race and gender, it becomes essential to build a workspace that includes and regards every individual equally.

Workforce Diversity is a very essential factor that enables individuals to make their mark on the base of their talent without being concerned about their cultural, sexual or religious background.

A challenge for HR Management

Workforce diversity is a very essential phenomenon that needs to be practiced in all enterprises across the world. But it is equally difficult for admins and Human Resource managers to coordinate and manage employees from varied backgrounds.

While addressing a group of employees sharing a common background, the HR manager can communicate and arrange sessions in a single language which can be understood by the entire group. They can use references and methods which would easily be comprehended by the set of employees and implemented in their work. But in case of employees coming from different backgrounds, it gets difficult for managers to figure out a common approach, references and language for the group.

You can also read : Ways to make your Workforce more Adaptable

Dimensions of Workforce Diversity

Workforce diversity encompasses two vital dimensions, i.e. the primary dimension and the secondary dimension.

Let us get an insight of the two dimensions :

Primary Dimensions

These consist of core factors that can not be changed in an individual. Age, race, gender, mental ability and ethnicity come under the primary dimensions. All these elements can not be divorced from an indoor and influence their thinking, behaviour and approach towards their work.

Secondary Dimensions

These comprise factors which have the scope of getting modified. Secondary dimensions include an individual’s health, habits, beliefs, experience, training, professional discourse, income layers and other similar factors.

Factors Increasing Workforce Diversity

There are numerous reasons why Workforce Diversity is emerging as a new trend globally.

Here are some of the most prominent factors fostering workforce diversity:

Expansion of the service sector 

Services like banking, travelling and retailing require a lot of interaction with a diverse set of customers. These customers can be from different backgrounds with respect to their culture and orientation. It is a fact that people are more comfortable with purchasing products and availing services from people coming from a similar background. Therefore companies address and practice workforce diversity to enhance their business and marketing.

Market Globalization

Globalisation is a result of increasing consumerism. With the aim to satisfy their customers, many companies opt for building their local presence apart from their space of origin. This inculcates workforce diversity in their work and office setup.

The necessity of teamwork for profitable enactment of business strategies 

Teamwork is the most important factor when it comes to the success and efficiency of an enterprise. In a workplace with employees coming from different backgrounds, it is essential to respect and manage workforce diversity.

The trend of mergers and alliances 

Industries are practicing mergers and alliances for their projects. These mergers are amongst companies hailing from different backgrounds with employees coming from different cultures, orientations and beliefs from across the world. In such scenarios, workforce diversity becomes inevitable and needs to be managed and respected.

Constantly changing labour market

Similar to any other sector, the labour market is also undergoing constant changes. It is this change that is inculcating the factor of diversity in the workforce. The increase in educated and experienced individuals from different gender orientations and backgrounds is creating a more welcoming and widespread arena of opportunities in the corporate Industry. This, as a result, is fostering workforce diversity.

Constitution and laws by the Government

The Constitution of India made provisions to ensure that a certain number of positions are secured and dedicated to hiring scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes, physically challenged individuals and women. They took this step to ensure that every deserving candidate gets an opportunity through the reserved seats and workforce diversity can be put into practice.

You can also read : Role of Technology in Better Workforce Management

Benefits of Workforce Diversity 

Managers find it difficult to sustain and manage diversity, but the most important thing that needs attention is the benefits that this practice brings to the table.

In a workplace where diversity is respected and celebrated, ideas are easily exchanged and put in action. It not only promotes a congenial work culture but also takes in different perspectives and approaches to a single product or problem. Inclusion of more women in the corporate industry is widening the perspective of companies. A similar result is obtained on hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds.

When diversity established on religion, race, caste, language, gender and orientation is recognised, addressed, managed and respected, it allows a wide arena of opportunities to flourish.

Consequences of Ignoring Workforce     Diversity

Workforce diversity is a crucial component while building a safe and comfortable workspace.

Here are a few consequences of ignoring workforce diversity :

• The amount of trust and mutual respect between people from different ethnic/ cultural or sexual backgrounds is decreased with the increase in corporate ignorance towards workforce diversity.
• Human relations in an organisation suffers a tremendous backlash as a result of cultural clashes, conflicts and primary differences between the employees.

Conclusion

Workforce diversity plays a great role in promoting cooperation and respect amongst all individuals working in a team. It also creates a healthy work environment for everyone which in turn encourages employees to yield better work output and enhance the work structure of your company.

If you are looking for software that can assist you in keeping a track of all employees along with managing their diversity, Juntrax by Juntrax Solution will serve as the best choice. It helps in creating a transparent medium of coordination and communication along with its distinguished set of tools and features.

 

 

Crafted by Aditi Srivastava