Why is workplace diversity important?
Workplace diversity is very important. I have a passion for diversity and I live my work. My work is always driven by the values I live every day. My life is also driven by those values. I promote those values in the workplace. As a Latina Woman I’ve been involved in and experienced the beauty of diversity my entire life. From a career standpoint, I became involved in this work through someone within the community who referred me to the organization I previously worked with. I managed a group charged with delivering employment and affirmative action services. Our client base was very diverse. That alone heightened my interest in this work. My passion for diversity has increased. It’s only gotten better and I maintained my lifetime relationships with mentors and colleagues. I love my work and there is a lot more work to be done. Diversity is critical for organizations to be successful in today’s changing marketplace. It is important to recognize that respecting individual differences and being open to change benefits the workplace by increasing productivity and marketing opportunities while reducing lawsuits within an organization. The added benefit is that individuals within the organization are broadened culturally and develop a mutual respect. Diversity is an ongoing behavior for me and I am always looking for opportunities to teach tolerance and respect within the workplace and within the community.
Â
How does your organization promote diversity?
Ongoing education is the most effective way to promote diversity within the workplace. Our organization promotes diversity by allowing small minority businesses to utilize our resources and by providing technical assistance as required by them to grow and become successful within the community. I promote diversity on a daily basis by teaching business owners to network effectively, collaborate in business decisions and continue to be resources to one another. I work with many clients that speak English as a second language and these individuals are grateful to have a liaison that understands their language and culture. They feel more comfortable and open to asking for the assistance they need. This encourages them to broaden their experience, become successful and grow as a business entity. Diversity is a process. In order to create organizational change we needed to embrace it and be passionate about it. We need to integrate diversity into our organization’s business strategy. Diversity takes patience and time, but it is possible to achieve it.
What factors are most important in managing a diverse workplace?
Some of the key factors in managing a diverse workplace include setting rules for behavior within a policy that includes consequences for incidences of discrimination and prejudice. Diversity education is crucial in managing a diverse workplace, and the entire organization must be informed in order to understand and embrace diversity. Another key factor includes mentoring by current employees to new hires. The mentoring experience enables employees to learn more about one another, grow as individuals, take pride in what they do and share this knowledge within a diverse workplace.
Â
How does a diverse workplace better serve your organization’s clients or customers?
Successfully managing cultural diversity in the workplace is a challenge, but if implemented correctly and genuinely, can be one of its greatest assets. A diverse workplace best serves our organization’s clients by allowing small minority businesses to feel part of a group within the industry. They feel proud of who they are and what they have to offer and are respected as an integral part of the industry as a whole. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see the smiles and appreciation that I receive from the individuals I work with. I receive enormous gratification from their sense of accomplishment. They stay in touch with me on a regular basis to express their gratitude and tell me about their growth and advances in their journey to success. Managing and understanding diversity is of utmost importance to me and my daily life.
Â
Position: Project specialist
Company: Business Resource Center
Location: Hartford
Category: Policy/advocacy (Individual)
Â
