DIVERSITY TRAINING Brandy Kindell Why is diversity training
DIVERSITY TRAINING Brandy Kindell
Why is diversity training important? ■ Today’s workplace is composed of people from many different races, cultures and beliefs ■ May encounter unfamiliar culture in a diverse workplace ■ Important to be aware of and understand these differences ■ Helps to cultivate an environment of respect for fellow employees ■ Respect helps to create a productive and harmonious work environment
Important Definitions ■ Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2016) – Diverse: differing from one another, composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities – Prejudice: preconceived judgment or opinion, an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or sufficient knowledge – Bias: a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgement ■ Sayles & Gordon (2016) Health Information Management Technology An applied approach provides additional definitions: – Cultural competence: the ability to accept and understand the beliefs and values of other people and groups and is vital to the overall health of an organization – Cultural diversity: the perceived or actual difference among people – Stereotyping: an assumption that everyone within a certain group are the same
Types of diversity U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) (n. d. ) ■ Age ■ Socio-Economic Status ■ Ethnicity ■ Gender or gender identity ■ Sexual orientation ■ Mental/physical abilities and attributes ■ Religion ■ Education ■ Occupation
Keys to mastering workplace diversity ■ Read and have a full understanding of the company’s diversity/cultural competence policy and adhere to company standards set forth in the policy. ■ Completion of a company sponsored self assessment test to evaluate personal cultural awareness and to help improve and adhere to the company's diversity policy (Sayles & Gordon, 2016). ■ Learn about the different cultures in your workplace (Sayles & Gordon, 2016). ■ Be an active listener and learn from your fellow co-workers (ODI, n. d. ). ■ Be committed to improving the workplace through ongoing self-improvement and relations with fellow co-workers (ODI, n. d. )
Diversity means growth Diversity Challenge: Understanding Cultural Differences and Communication, Smothers & Sanders, (n. d. ). ■ Diversity creates opportunities for success ■ Creates wide range of qualified individuals to choose from when hiring ■ Allows advancement within the company ■ Equal competition and contribution to the company increases the chance for success ■ Increases productivity and fresh ideas
Compliance ■ All employees are expected to adhere to the policies set forth in the diversity/cultural competence policy ■ Any concerns may be made to your managing supervisor or a member of the HR department ■ Complaints regarding violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law (EEO) may be filed by contacting the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at https: //www. eeoc. gov
References ■ Merriam-Webster. (n. d. ). Retrieved from: https: //www. merriam-webster. com ■ Office of Diversity and Inclusion. (n. d. ). Cultural Competency. Retrieved from: http: //www. diversity. va. gov/training/default. aspx ■ Sayles, N. B. & Gordon, L. L. (Eds. ). (2016). Health information management technology: An applied approach. (pp. 605 -606). (5 th ed. ). Chicago, IL: AHIMA Press
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