Author: Sara Zanotto
Publication date: 24.08.2023
“Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make every day.”
As the culture of equality and diversity keeps flourishing, businesses have to keep up with the needs of society. As a matter of fact, many companies are trying to develop a more diverse workforce. When doing so, the company applies the concept of Diversity Management.
What is Diversity management?
Diversity management is a part of Human Resources management. In particular, it’s a way to organize the company in order to foster diversity and inclusion inside the firm. More to the point, diversity management is achieved by implementing specific policies and programs. Its aim is to draw attention to diversity inside the organization in order to create a more inclusive environment.
In fact, diversity management considers diversity to be an advantage instead of an obstacle for businesses. What’s more, it recognizes the distinctive contributions of each employee, fostering organizational growth and success. The underlying belief is that when individuals with diverse backgrounds collaborate, problems can be solved more easily. This is because of the abundance of different perspectives.
Diversity management can be divided into two categories:
1. Intranational diversity management
This way of handling diversity involves managing a workforce made up of people who are either citizens or immigrants living in the same country. Diversity initiatives aim to offer job opportunities specifically to minority groups or recent immigrants.
2. Cross-national diversity management
Cross-national diversity management is also called international diversity management. It refers to the management of a workforce composed of citizens from various countries. For instance, these people can be immigrants seeking employment opportunities. The parent company must be able to adhere to the legal and cultural regulations of the host countries where their employees reside.
Why is diversity management important for business?
Diversity management is employed in order to reflect a diversifying world. It is crucial for companies as it fosters a range of benefits. A workforce that encompasses diversity brings together individuals with different perspectives,experiences, and skill sets. This leads to enhanced creativity and innovation.
Inclusive environments cultivate higher employee engagement and satisfaction, resulting in improved retention rates. Companies that embrace diversity can better understand and cater to a diverse customer base, increasing market share and competitiveness. Additionally, diversity management helps organizations comply with legal and ethical obligations. It also promotes a positive corporate image. Embracing diversity leads to higher adaptability and resilience, enabling companies to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.
Diversity management practices
In implementing diversity management, companies can adopt several practices to create an inclusive and equitable workplace. These practices include:
Conducting diversity training to raise awareness and reduce biases
Implementing inclusive recruitment and hiring practices
Establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to provide assistance for employees from marginalized backgrounds.
Tracking diversity metrics to measure progress
Provide mentorship and sponsorship programs to support career development
Promoting work-life balance through flexible arrangements
Fostering inclusive leadership behaviors
Additionally, companies can engage in supplier diversity programs to support diverse businesses. These practices collectively contribute to a diverse, engaged, and productive workforce. As a result, they improve organizational performance and competitiveness.
Diversity management and businesses
In conclusion, diversity management is a transformative approach that empowers companies to unlock their full potential. Embracing diversity and fostering inclusion leads to a multitude of benefits. For example, by implementing diversity management practices, organizations can build a workplace where every individual's uniqueness is celebrated. So, this tool becomes essential to build a thriving work environment and to cope with the challenges of the ever-evolving global landscape.
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