1. Managing
Diversity In
The Workplace
Reshav Mahajan

2. Diversity Defined
The fact or quality of being diverse; difference.
A point or respect in which things differ.
Variety or multiformity: “Charles Darwin” saw in
the diversity of species the principles of evolution that
operated to generate the species: variation,
competition and selection” (Scientific American).
Workplace diversity: is a people issue, focused on the
differences and similarities that people bring to an
organization.

3. Types of Diversity
• Gender
• Age
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Culture
• Religion
• Language/Accent
• Disability
• Height/Weight
• Sexual Orientation
• Education
• Job Title
• Job Function
• Job Skills
• Union/Non-Union
• Part-Time/Full-Time
• Marital Status
• Political affiliation

4. The Challenge of Workplace Diversity?
•The challenge lies in the continuous improvement
of the integration and social acceptance of people
from different backgrounds.
•Our differing human characteristics influence the
way we think, act, interact, and make choices.
•Often, these differences interfere with our ability
to support, trust, and respect each other, and thus
to effectively function together.

5. Diversity Consciousness Defined
Recognizing, appreciating, valuing,
and utilizing the unique talents
and contributions of all individuals

6. Areas of Workplace Diversity
• Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
– The active recruitment of women, minorities,
and other protected groups.
– The goal to meet certain legal imperatives.
• EEOC{ Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission }
• Department of Justice
• Civil Rights
– The primary concern is meeting quotas, often
without concern for the survivability of these
individuals.

7. Areas of Workplace Diversity
• Managing Diversity
– The organization is diverse by default, and
now it must deal with it.
– The goal should be fix, cover-up, and/or defer
the problem with a minimum of hassle.
– The effort should be from top management-
driven, thus forced throughout the
organization.
– The concern should be more for a change in
behavior than attitudes.

8. Diversity Bias
• Assumptions of Superiority
– I’m better than you.
• Assumptions of Correctness
– This is the way it should be
• Assumptions of Universality
– We’re all the same. Everybody is just like
me.

9. Hierarchy of Cultures
• World Culture
– Humanity
• Major Culture (e.g., U.S. culture)
• Subculture (e.g., various immigrant groups)
• Corporate Culture

10. The White American Corporate Mind
As Driven By The Major American Culture
• Loves individuality
and self-reliance
• Likes informality
• Can only speak
English
• Very direct. “Get to
the point.”
• Demand honesty at
the bargaining table
• Hates silence
• Persistence. “Don’t take
no for an answer.”
• One thing at a time,
sequentially
• “A deal is a deal, no
matter what.”
• “My mind is fixed.”
• Magic Words: Freedom,
democracy, America,
competition

11. Conclusion
A diverse workforce is a reflection of a changing
world and marketplace. Diverse work teams
bring high value to organizations. Respecting
individual differences will benefit the workplace
by creating a competitive edge and increasing
work productivity. Diversity management
benefits associates by creating a fair and safe
environment where everyone has access to
opportunities and challenges.

12. Thankyou