Diversity in workplaces

• Diversity in the workplace includes ethnic and cultural links
• Employees may originate from different countries and English is often the second language
• Employees may follow different religions and cultural celebrations
• Employees may have different food preferences
• Importance of accepting diversity

  People from different backgrounds bring a different worldview to work problems and issues
• Importance of accepting diversity

  Increased diversity provides a larger range of skills and abilities to a workplace
• Importance of accepting diversity

  Companies with a high level of diversity can offer a broader variety of goods and services and reach a larger range of customers and global markets
• Importance of accepting diversity

  Forward-thinking companies that adopt a proactive diversity outlook can attract more customers
• Importance of accepting diversity

  Diversity in the workplace can increase employee morale and instil a desire to be more effective and work more efficiently
• Importance of accepting diversity

  Increased productivity of the company
• Generational differences can cause conflicts in the workplace
• With an ageing workforce, there are more mature workers remaining in the workplace
• Different generations bring


  Different skill sets and experiences to a workplace
• Accepting generational differences


  Encourages trust and respect between all team members
• Positive environment


  Can result in higher productivity and innovation
• Strategies for working in a diverse workplace

  1. Attending cultural awareness training

  2. Using appropriate communication techniques

  3. Awareness of equal opportunity legislation
• Employees need to be aware of different cultures as employees can be sourced from around the world
• Employees often attend cultural awareness training through professional development programs
• Cultural awareness training


  Shapes opportunities for greater awareness and self-reflection to overcome unconscious bias and systemic racism
• Positive culturally diverse employment policies

  Increase awareness of equal opportunity legislation to help encourage effective working relationships
• Better equipped employees


  Engage with colleagues and treat differences with respect and cultural awareness
• Cultural understanding


  Can be encouraged through social events and the celebration of key calendar dates of various nationalities/belief systems
• Using appropriate and inclusive communication styles increases a sense of inclusion and respect
• Clear, effective communication


  Fosters an equal-opportunity workplace where a diverse group of people may succeed
• Challenge stereotypes observed in the workplace to ensure zero tolerance of exclusion, harassment or bullying
• Different cultures have different expectations around communication
• Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA)


  Aims to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for all persons regardless of sex, pregnancy, race, religion, etc.
• Employers must ensure compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity laws
• Equal opportunity legislation


  Establishes the standard of how people should treat each other at work
• Publish clear equal opportunity policies and give all employees access to support if required
• Responding to discrimination accusations or issues raised by employees promptly ensures employees feel safe and supported
• Include an effective employee complaint-handling procedure so that employees feel they are treated fairly
• Promote awareness and initiatives


  Mental health and well-being, modifying uniform and bathroom options, and workplace accessibility
• Enhances productivity, performance and satisfaction