Diversity and Inclusion in the Workforce

It is the responsibility of managers and leaders to create conditions where people can excel. This means creating a culture of inclusion. Read this resource to explore the changes in diversity over time and the importance of finding the right mix of people to work on teams. It includes charts of the projected diversity in the workforce through 2050 and results of studies that show that diverse companies are financially successful. Thus, there is a positive correlation between performance and diversity. However, there are also challenges to changing organizational culture and people's mindsets regarding diversity. The text provides several cases demonstrating problems and successes in developing a culture of inclusion.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Explain the benefits of employee diversity in the workplace
  • Discuss the challenges presented by workplace diversity
Diversity is not simply a box to be checked; rather, it is an approach to business that unites ethical management and high performance. Business leaders in the global economy recognize the benefits of a diverse workforce and see it as an organizational strength, not as a mere slogan or a form of regulatory compliance with the law. They recognize that diversity can enhance performance and drive innovation; conversely, adhering to the traditional business practices of the past can cost them talented employees and loyal customers.

A study by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company indicates that businesses with gender and ethnic diversity outperform others. According to Mike Dillon, chief diversity and inclusion officer for PwC in San Francisco, "attracting, retaining and developing a diverse group of professionals stirs innovation and drives growth".

Living this goal means not only recruiting, hiring, and training talent from a wide demographic spectrum but also including all employees in every aspect of the organization.


Source: Rice University, https://opentextbc.ca/businessethicsopenstax/chapter/diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-workforce/
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