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Workplace diversity is a phrase that covers a great deal of ground. I also find it does not necessarily fit in with the idea of Political Correctness which is the attitude that everyone these days possesses. Political Correctness insists on everyone having an equal chance and right to the same things. Yet, diversity states the exact opposite, by acknowledging that not everyone is the same, and may not require exactly the same rules or attitudes.

Diversity in the workplace requires a wide ranging set of experiences and cultural attitudes, which may or may not be appropriate for the company or organisation. Each business is different, it has different needs and different requirements from its workforce. If every business was exactly the same it would flounder because it would not be different enough to attract paying customers, the life-blood of any business.

Until people start to realise that diversity is as vital as equality, but that each has its place within the scheme of things, we will blunder on, causing difficulties and dissatisfaction for those who have to work in these businesses as well as ineffective working practices within the business itself causing the business and its profits to stagnate.

Too many employers today are frightened of being classed as racist, being taken to a tribunal on the grounds of refusing to hire someone of a different ethnic background.

I am happy to work with anyone who can understand, and adapt to, a standard working practice of the business, and not expect any specific favours. But this is no longer happening in the UK with too many employers hiring people who can't speak the language, are determined to have time out from the workplace to follow religious rituals which do not belong to the official religion of the country, insist on wearing dress and adornments that are of a different culture to which the country the business is in, expect to be accepted with all these differences and object to the authorities if they see they are not accepted. Instead of helping people bond together as a team within a business this type of attitude can divide the workforce causing so much friction that the work doesn't get done and all are at risk of losing their jobs due to a lack of income and customer service.

I don't know the full answer to this. I know there are employers who are unable to understand or appreciate what their business needs with regards to a diverse workforce which can work as a team to bring about a revolutionary business acumen. Everyone has their own ideas, but if you are too rigid, or too flexible, not only you but the business too can lose out.

The interview is the main place where selection of new staff is made but not everyone chooses the right person. Perhaps if it was made a law that everyone who is newly employed must go through a probationary period to find out if they can "hack it" in that particular grouping, it may help, especially if the failure to succeed was not placed against the person concerned. After all, you place a square peg in a square hole and everything will be fine, but try to place a square peg in a round hole, and it will be disaster.

Perhaps we need to train our interviewers more carefully, and not with the present politically correct view as to what sort of background an employee should have. Race, sexual gender, disability, and other forms of equality mean little if the company doesn't need what that person has to offer! Everyone is different and that is what needs to be understood. But will it.

Learn more about this author, Carol Noble.
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