A diverse workforce in today’s ever changing  business climate can provide an edge.  It is essential to put together a workforce that  is committed to the organization’s  vision and mission. It could be detrimental if neglected or simply offered lip service. In the past couple of decades, many high profile companies  have been hit with  multi-million dollar lawsuits because people at the top failed to take proper action.

Definition of Diversity

The term diversity encompasses some of the following: Race, faith, education, age, sexual orientation, height, weight, work experiences, language, accent, physical attributes, gender, etc. Practically every organization has diversity and it is important to   focus on strengths instead on the weaknesses of the diverse employees.

Diversity: Business Strategy

According to Gallup research organizations that implement diversity programs have higher engagement and  cultural harmony in the workplace. By doing so, this increases productivity, profits, less lawsuits, low turnover and less absenteeism. Having a stable, diverse workforce, there is greater creativity and problem solving.

Diversity Management

It is not easy to manage a diverse staff because it takes resources, commitment and accountability. It is vital  that employees from all cultures must be treated equal when it comes to wages and  climbing the corporate ladder.  This also includes diverse  representation  in  the boardroom where decisions are made.