Question

Diversity and Discrimination faced by a company or industry ), identify crucial theoretical concepts that explain the cause(s) of the problem and highlight the actions (initiatives, policies, programs) implemented by the company/industry.

Answer 1

Causes and Actions of Diversity and Discrimination at work.

Diversity is the way in which all of us are different form one another and oppressing this difference by the other is discrimination. This is majorly witnessed at workplace when people from various background come together under one roof and have to deal with various forms of cultural differences. Basically there are 4 types of diversities which are seen in the business environment - personality traits, occupation, value and attitudes and differences in skills and abilities.

The major causes of such discrimination are -

1) Disability - this has been the most shameful of all where the physically disabled employees are made fun of by the ones who are physically normal.

2) Race - this the criteria by which employees make fun of someones ethnic origin or their skin color.

3) Religion - making fun of someone preaching or practicing a religion which is different from the others. Groups are formed basis a set of similar religious employees thereby isolating the minorities.

4) Age - older people are often looked down upon by the younger ones when inside the workplace as they feel that they are more competitive than them.

5) Sex - mostly it has been observed that males form groups together to humiliate women while working in the office. Jokes are cracked on the other gender and looked down upon.

Actions to be taken by the workplace

1) Audit - such discrimination activities should be audited on a regular basis to keep a check on the things happening around in the organization.

2) Standard of civility - this should be prepared at the outset of the company to determine the way an employee should behave with the other. There has to be rules in regards to the limits under which one can go personal to someone while making fun of the other. Line of discrimination should not be allowed to be crossed.

3) Anti -Retaliation policy - such polices will define the punishment or the course of action that can be taken if an employee is found discriminating the other.

4) Complaint system - this should be made aware to all the employees that if they feel that an act of discrimination is happening against them or someone they know, they can simply register a complaint internally to the HR of the company.

5) Training program - extensive training should be conducted for both the employees and the management to let them know that how diverse their company is and how mishandling the same will lead to discrimination and hence punishable under the policy.