Diversity in the workplace

Workplace diversity refers to the differences between individuals in an organisation and it encompasses race, gender, ethnic groups, age, religions, sexual orientation etc.

There are many benefits to having a diverse workplace, for example, organisations that want to recruit diverse candidates and establish a diverse workplace, have a much larger pool of candidates to choose from. This can lead to finding more qualified candidates and it can also cut the time it takes to fill a position in half.

Other benefits include:

• Employees from diverse backgrounds can come up with creative new ideas and perspectives by working together
• A diverse workplace will help organisations better understand target demographics
• Increased customer satisfaction by improving how employees interact with diverse clients

Managing diversity in the workplace presents a set of unique challenges, however, these challenges can be mitigated if the organisation encourages a diversity-friendly environment by promoting  tolerance and open communication.

Here are some additional tips to managing diversity in the workplace effectively:

1. Communication must be a priority

In order to manage a diverse workplace, organisations must ensure that they are communicating with their employees. Policies, safety rules and other important information can be translated and distributed amongst employees ensuring that every employee understands.

2. Every employee should be seen as an individual
Every employee is an individual and should not be assumed to be a certain way just because of their background.


3. Employees should be encouraged to work in diverse groups
By working together in diverse teams, employees will get to know each other and value one another individuality. This way, preconceived notions and cultural misunderstandings can be avoided.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)