“Diversity in the Workplace”

A Workshop for SDFs

Facilitated by Theresa Oakley-Smith

Overview of the Workshop

Why do we need training in Diversity?

What is workplace diversity?

What are its challenges?

Understanding the transformation framework (BBEE;EE;SD)

Assessing my life experiences

Understanding stereotyping

Impact of stereotyping in the workplace

Implementing diversity in the workplace

Leveraging diversity in the workplace

“If relationships within organisations

are not based on valued diversity, then how will we interact in

a proactive and positive way with a

diverse outside world”

What is dversity?

“Diversity is the sum of all the people who bring a variety of

backgrounds, styles, perspectives, values and

beliefs as assets to the groups and organisations in which

they interact”.

Creating a climate in which the potential advantages of diversity for organisational or group performance

are maximised while the potential disadvantages are minimised.

(Cox & Beale)

Implementing management initiatives and practices in such a way that the

environment works for all employees.

(Carnevale & Kogod)

Diversity Concepts:Managing Diversity

“Recognising and appreciating that individuals are different, that

diversity is an advantage if it is valued and well managed.”

“Diversity is not simply to be tolerated but encouraged, supported and nurtured.”

What is Valuing Diversity?

Benefits of Managed Diversity in the Workplace

Performance advantages

Enhances creativity & innovation

Improves problem solving quality

Enhances marketing (cross cultural difference in consumer behaviour)

Enhances organisational flexibility

Challenges of Diversity

Stereotypes & associated assumptions

Actual cultural differences

Exclusivity of “in-group” and / or associated access to information & relationships

Unwritten rules & double standards for success

Lack of Communication

Assessing my Life Experiences

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Family of origin

Neighbourhood as a child

Primary School

High School

First work experience

Current work experience

Neighbourhood now

Current friendship groups

Stereotyping

Stereotyping is an unconscious process by which individuals are viewed as members of groups, & the information we have stored in our minds about the group is ascribed to the individual.

Stereotyping is an exaggerated belief associated with a category

Its function is to justify / rationalise our conduct in relation to that category

A stereotype is not necessarily a valid generalisation about the group

It is never applicable to all members of the group

Stereotypes in the Workplace

Encourage low expectations

Encourage managers to perceive risk in employing minority groups

Affect how jobs are assigned

Affect how people are treated (e.g. as subordinates)

Result in low morale / loss of energy

Reduce motivation

Sources of Learning

You’ve Got To Be Taught…

You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear

You’ve got to be taught from year to year

You’ve got to be taughtbefore it’s too late

before you’re six or seven or eight

to hate all peopleyour relatives hate

You’ve got to be carefully taught.

DIVERSITY AGENDA

Getting to knowGetting to acceptGetting to value

Managing Effectively

Leveraging difference

Business Benefits

The Diversity Journey

Implementation PlanConduct A Diversity Audit

Consult

Analysis

Revising Policy

Develop Report

•

Interviews

•

Observations

Plan/Design Diversity Strategy

Goals

Objectives

Methodology

Mentoring

Maintenance

Link to other initiatives

BBBEE

SD

EE

Barriers to implementation

Failure of senior leadership to be involved

Complexity not understood

Business imperative not understood

Insufficient resources

Failure to understand the need

Internal or External

InternalCost effectiveOwnershipSustainabilityUnderstanding of

organisationInexperienceDealing with conflictCareer limiting

External Expertise Comparison Credibility Deal with emotion

better Openness Trust Professionalism

Skills Transfer

How to evaluate providers

Accreditation

Track record

CV’s of trainers

Organisational fit

Prepared to customise

Ongoing support

Develop Strength in diversity

Ask questions

Research

Listen

Educate

Practise

Reflect

Structural Pillars

OWNERSHIPCONTROL

PROCUREMENTCSI

BB BEE

NUMERICAL GOALSENABLING ENVIRONMENT

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY

DEVELOPMENT / TRAININGCOACHING MENTORING

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

INTEGRATED PLAN FASSET

Olive Schreiner:

“The ultimate chant of the human race is not to be

conceived as a monotone chanted on one note by one form of humanity alone but rather as choral symphony chanted by all races and all nations in diverse tones on different notes in one grand

complex harmony”

Thank You!