Always trying to make sure that our workplace was living to the standard of today and reading how the workplace has become a source, legally, of being under the magnifying glass when it comes to diversity, I thought I better take a look at where we stood on this issue. First I looked up the definition of “diversity”; the condition of having or being composed of differing elements; especially the inclusion of different types of people (as in races or cultures) in a group or organization. I think we qualify based on the fact that we have men and women and we have three different generations working together along with different ethnic backgrounds and cultural differences. But I found that there is a lot more that goes along with being a diverse workplace, like the acceptance of any person that is different from those who are working together, either to work with or to serve. Here are a few questions that I found that can help you decide if your workplace is supportive of diversity.
Does your workplace employ a diverse range of people, age, religion, race?
Does your workplace allow employees to celebrate their holidays appropriately?
Does your workplace have proper access and work space to allow people with special abilities to enter and work at?
Do you hear negative comments or racial jokes being allowed in your workplace?
Do you have equal opportunities in your workplace;i.e, race, sex, etc?
Are all people who work together listened to and heard equally?
If your workplace is service oriented are all people treated equally by all staff members and owners?
If you work in an all female or male workplace are there negative comments regarding the other sex that are allowed?
Do you have negative comments regarding any sexual preference?
Do you feel that you work in a place that diversity is looked at and accepted in a positive way?
If you can answer at least five of these questions “yes” then your workplace is pretty supportive to diversity. It is understandable that many of us work in small towns with people who come from similar backgrounds, but the line is drawn when in the workplace there is an intolerance to work with or serve others because of their ethnic background, sexuality, religious or social status. It is a good thing when we take a good look at our workplace to make sure we are keeping up with the changes and challenges in our rapidly changing world.
“There never were in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity” ~ Michel de Montagne
8/27/12
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