Workplace Diversity And Atmosphere

As the world economy continues to become more and more global, and workplaces have grown increasingly diverse, the awareness of the strengths and advantages a diverse workforce offers is also gaining momentum. Not only does diversity foster creativity; awareness of diverse perceptions and points of view is crucial to avoiding cultural slights and blunders. Embracing diversity means creating a workplace in which people of all backgrounds and cultures feel included, welcome, and valued. Inclusion involves respecting individual differences and capturing the advantages they provide.

Workplace Diversity and Personal Lives

In an era defined by an escalating “war for talent,” many employers are providing their workforces an environment that allows employees to better balance the competing demands of careers and personal lives. This is particularly important to Generation X and millennials, many of whom prefer greater control over their personal time. As an alternative to the Monday-to-Friday 9-to-5 schedule, these “work/life programs” have become increasingly popular. Examples of work/life program components include:

Flexible work arrangements such as flex-time (e.g., flexible hours, compressed work week)

Part-time schedules

Telecommuting

Discretionary or floating leave (e.g., paternity leave, educational leave, community-service leave)

Job-sharing

Shift-swapping