Managing Diversity California Park and Recreation Society Region 1 Fall Forum November 20, 2013
Cultural Iceberg
What is Diversity?
State Farm Diversity is the collective strength of experiences, skills, talents, perspectives, and cultures that each agent and employee brings to State Farm. It's how we create a dynamic business environment to serve our customers.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Diversity is about who we are as individuals, both differences and similarities. The Corporation recognizes that its strength comes from the dedication, experience, and diversity of its employees and believes that, given the opportunity, each employee can make a difference. The FDIC is committed to promoting and supporting an inclusive environment that provides to all employees, individually and collectively, the chance to work to their full potential in the pursuit of the Corporation's mission."
University of Oregon The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences... race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.
Homogeneous Clustering Tendency for people to live in homogeneous groups or communities.
Diversity Should not be shorthand for talking about gender & race. It s about otherness
Diversity In order for organizations and managers to be successful at managing diversity it must be defined in a broad & inclusive way. The definition must make it obvious to employees that everyone is included and therefore everyone s diversity is valued
Primary Dimensions Age Ethnicity Gender Physical abilities & qualities Race Sexual orientation
Secondary Dimensions Education Family/Marital Status (married, parent) Military Experience Religious beliefs
Secondary Dimensions Socio-economic status Work background Geographic location Political Beliefs
Dimensions of Diversity Wheel
Managing Diversity Quality, commitment & productivity from a heterogeneous workforce Fully utilizing potential of all employees Removing or minimizing barriers Improving relationships among people who are different Awareness of stereotyping
Diversity vs. Inclusion Diversity measures the breadth of differences within an organization Inclusion measures the depth differences are integrated into an organization Both are needed for an organization to be successful
Advantages and Benefits Better able to solve problems & respond to needs Wealth of perspectives Increased adaptability Broader service range Variety of viewpoints
Advantages and Benefits Creativity increases Productivity increases New attitudes New processes
Keys to Managing Diversity Rhetoric vs. Action Model the correct behavior Realize there will be bumps in the road Individual & organizational commitment Investing time & dedicating resources Finding Common Ground
Profile of leading organizations Expectation, standards, and explicit and implicit rules shaped by diverse customers & employees Success linked to unique contribution Expanded range of styles View diversity as competitive business strategy Diversity visible at all levels Aware and committed leadership Modify the culture to support the people
Profile of leading organizations Respect & value the differences that diversity brings Are committed to the elimination of prejudice & discrimination Have or create policies to recruit & hire from diverse cultures Provide cross cultural training to foster understanding Train employees and managers in conflict resolution
Are we there yet?
What can you do? Harassment Training Workplace Violence Training Employee Assistance Program Job Share
What can you do? Flexible Scheduling Tuition Reimbursement Bilingual Pay Domestic Partner Benefits On site day care
What can you do? Gap awareness/training Code of Ethics Organizational Values Provide excellent customer service Treat Others with Respect Act with Integrity
Diversity in the Workplace Like trees in a vast forest, humans come in a variety of sizes, shapes & colors. The variety helps differentiate us from each other.
Diversity in the Workplace Diversity is important as it helps protect and sustain an organization and keeps it from becoming : stale too like minded inflexible/rigid unresponsive
Diversity in the Workplace all the fingers in the hand are different but each plays an important role particularly in concert, to open a door, give a handshake, to hold, to throw a ball and to write a note.