Workplace Diversity Workplace diversity refers to the variety

Workplace Diversity

Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people in an organization. Today’s workforce is increasingly diverse in terms of personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Race and Ethnicity Race refers to a person's physical characteristics, such as bone structure and skin, hair, or eye color Race is assigned by society based upon physical features Race presumes shared biological or genetic traits, whether actual or asserted Race refers to identification of people into groups based on various sets of physical characteristics Races are assumed to be distinguished by skin color, facial type, etc. However, the scientific basis of racial distinctions is very weak. Scientific studies show that racial genetic differences are weak except in skin color Ethnicity is a group whose members identify with each other on the basis of common nationality, shared cultural traditions or social experience Ethnicity is self-identified Ethnicity implies shared cultural traits and a shared group history Ethnicity refers to racial ancestry Ethnic groups distinguish themselves differently from one time period to another. They typically seek to define themselves but also are defined by the stereotypes of dominant groups

Nationality and Culture Nationality refers to the country of citizenship meaning it generally refers to where a person was born and holds citizenship Culture refers to the way of life that consists of the general customs, values and beliefs of a particular group of people Nationality means one’s country of origin Culture is passed down from a generation to another and serves as a sense of identification Nationality is defined on the basis of borders Nationality often mistaken for ethnicity, due to the fact that some languages refer to it as an ethnic group that is not defined by political borders and passport ownership Nationality also means that a person has the protection of the state where he or she was born Culture generally means the non-biological or social aspects of human life which is basically anything that humans learn in a society

LGBTQ Workforce According to surveys, more than 40% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and almost 90% of transgender people have experienced employment discrimination, harassment or mistreatment.

LGBTQ employees who spend considerable time and effort hiding their identity in the workplace, experience higher levels of stress and anxiety resulting in health problems and work related complaints LGBTQ friendly workplace will lead to the improved health, increased job satisfaction, better relationships with co-workers and supervisors, and greater work commitment among the LGBT workers Transgender Workforce An increasing number of people are openly living with a gender identity different than the one assigned to them at birth Use the preferred name and gender pronoun of the employee

Activity Diversity Awareness Quiz

Diversity Awareness Scores 0 - 12 • May be a little naïve regarding cultural issues and flexibility of your views 13 - 22 • May not feel that comfortable defending others (or avoid) but will at a certain point 23 – 29 • Has no problem being a change agent 30 - 36 • No problem being a fighter of others rights

Generations In The Workplace Traditionalist (1925 -1945) Baby Boomers (1946 -1964) Gen X (1965 -1976) Millennials (1977 -1995) Centennials (1996 -2010)

Traditionalists/Silent Generation Influencers WWI, WWII, Korean War Great Depression 1929 Stock Market Crash Experienced hard times Family Experience Characteristics View on Education Patriotic Private Conservative Historical Viewpoint “Waste not want not” Traditional / Nuclear Men worked, women raised children “Children were to be seen not heard” A Dream Value Family / Community

Baby Boomers (1946 -1964) Influencers Civil Rights Vietnam War/Cold War Television The “American Dream” was promised and pursued Characteristics Political Correctness Fitness Conscious Optimistic Driven Materialistic Greedy Family Experience The 1 st divorce generation Highest divorce rate and 2 nd marriage in US history Mom stayed home View on Education A birthright Value Success

Generation X (1965 -1984) Influencers Watergate/political “liars” Y 2 K Roe Vs Wade Fall of Berlin Wall Challenger Disaster Computers Characteristics Adaptable / can change Work to Live Serious about life Short attention span Loyal to relationships Family Experience Latchkey kids/”Daycare generation Dual income families Moms’ worked/single parent homes View on Education A way to get there Value Time -Better work/life balance

Millennials / Gen Y Influencers World Trade Center Oklahoma Bombings Digital boom/ internet School shootings Characteristics Groomed to achieve Entrepreneurial Socially conscious Optimistic, Hopeful Innovative Diversity focused “Me first” Street smarts Family Experience Blended families Typically grew up as child of divorce Kept busy as kids More sheltered than other generations View on Education An incredible expense Value Individuality

i. Generation, Generation Z, Centennials Influencers Family Experience Great recession Raised with more of a “figure it Social media -Snapchat & Twitter out” approach Increased security measures Feel financial stresses of their 1 st African American President parents Legalization of gay marriage Characteristics Digitally obsessive Self-educated Loyal Creative Favor financial security Tolerant & Inclusive Short attention spans View on Education View college degree as important Considered about affordability & student debt Value Making a difference

Multigenerational Workforce TRADITIONALI ST BABY BOOMERS GEN X’ERS MILLENNIALS WORK IS… An obligation An exciting adventure A difficult challenge A means to an end WORK FOCUS Quality Long Hours Productivity Contribution ENTITLEMENT Seniority Experience Merit Contribution WORK / LIFE BALANCE Keep them separate Imbalance Work to live Live to work Balance work, life and community involvement Focus on clearer balance between work and family Self development is important TIME AT WORK Punch the clock Workaholics Project oriented Get the job done Believe visibility is key Get paid to get job done View work as a “gig” Effective but gone @5 o’clock on the dot

TRADITIONALI BABY ST BOOMERS COMMUNICATIO N MOTIVATED BY KEYS TO WORKING WITH GEN X’ERS MILLENNIALS Discrete Diplomatic Blunt / Direct Polite One-on-one Call me anytime Call me only at work E-mail me Security Money Time off Being respected Being valued Freedom Working with other bright people Like the personal touch Defined by their career Want independence Learn their personal goals Consider their feelings Need flexibility, attention, and freedom Time to pursue other interest Want to work with friends Allow them to have fun at work Provide variety & rational for work Respond well to recognition & attention Personalize work

TRADITIONALI ST ASSETS LIABILITI ES BABY BOOMERS GEN X’ERS MILLENNIALS Consistent Mission oriented Eager to learn Goal oriented Disciplined Politically savvy Multitaskers Positive attitude Stable Will go extra mile Optimistic Hardworking Challenge status quo Adapt well to change Avoid conflict Expect everyone to be workaholics Right or wrong Don’t adapt well to change Dislike conflict & change Judgmental if disagree Process before results Not intimidated by authority Consumer mentality Impatient Inexperienced Lack people skills Need supervision Cynical; skeptical High expectations Dislike rigid work requirements Respond poorly to those who act in an authoritarian manner

Keith Reynolds Director of Training in Equity and Diversity Tel. 973 -4616 kreynolds 1@usd 259. net

http: //theydiffer. com/difference-between-race-ethnicity-nationality-andculture/ http: //www. diffen. com/difference/Ethnicity_vs_Race https: //www. glaad. org/blog/value-lgbt-equality-workplace http: //www. marketingteacher. com/the-six-living-generations-in-america/