by Olufemi Oyedele

Created on: January 23, 2009

Diversity in the workplace is now an important issue because its effective management can make a company, while improper management can mar it. Worplace diversity is generally regarded by many as only concerning a group of workers in a workplace with different socio-cultural background and languages. Workplace diversity is more than this. It involves age diversity, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, physical abilities or qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, religious beliefs, family class, work experience etc. Diversity of workers is any influence that can cause workers' delimitation or demarcation.

Diversity of workers can be due to the disparities in their different ages, religious belief, locations of the branches they are working etc. A worker in New York branch of a lingeries' outlet may be feeling superior to another worker from the same lingeries' outlet in Wiscousin. Workplace diversity management is very important for the success of an organisation because workplace diversity is inevitable in the global business village.People cannot be placed on the same salary, yet differential salaries is an issue under workplace diversity and human resources management. People now find it convenient to look for and work in different parts of the world. Languages barriers, clashes of interests and oppression is just about the many problems of diversity in the workplace. But workplace diversity can be valuable if well managed. The USA is touted for its good management acumen because of its diversity of culture.

Imagine the combination in a business, the organisation of an English man, with the agility of a Chinese and innovation of the Japanese. Imagine having an American manager, a British designer, a Chinese auto engineer and a Japanese production manager all with their different culture working in the same organisation producing vehicles in Detroit. If these workers can turn their different socio-cultural background into heathy rivalry, it will be a priceless value for the organisation. Products of international organisations (goods and services) are made for the whole world to consume. The best products for the world can only come from workers with different perspectives of viewing the products due to their diversity. With workers of diverse bachground, an organisation can respond to opportunities in the world of business promptly, innovatively and cost-effectively. Any organisation that base its pool

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