Question

In a 500 word; what is your definition of diversity at work? Why is it important for an organization to be inclusive and appreciative toward all people? What have been your experiences with being included or excluded at work?

Answer 1

Diversity at work refers to having employees of various characteristics involved in each activity at the work. It means comprising people of any gender, religion, caste, economic background, age, residential status, etc. Diversity of work means accepting people with all the differences. It is not only concerned with acceptance but also people respecting each other, communicating with each other and making alliance with each other by ignoring all the differences.

In order to bring diversity at work, diversity trainings are also given. Training is given to all the employees to make their relations cordial with all the employees to have better coordination in work. Employees should be recruited only on the basis of their skills, knowledge, qualification and experience, without any discrimination of gender, geographical background, economic background, social or cultural differences, political beliefs, race, etc.

All the organisations needs to be inclusive and must appreciate all the people irrespective of any difference in gender, caste, race, religion, etc. By being inclusive it means that every member of the organisation must be given equal opportunity at work by ignoring all the differences of culture or their any personal characteristics. It is important for the organization to be inclusive and appreciative toward all people due to following reasons –

• It increases the job satisfaction among employees. When employees feel that they are being treated equally and able to participate in all the concerned decision makings they feel satisfied at their workplace.
• It also helps in increasing morale of employees. Employees perform with high morale when they feel they are the part of all the activities of the organisation.
• When employees are motivated and satisfied then employee retention increases.
• This also results in growth in operations of the company. If employees are given equal and good opportunities they will perform more efficiently which will increase the productivity of the organisation.
• Inclusiveness in the organisation helps it to survive more easily in dynamic environment. It makes them flexible by easily bringing changes whenever required. As in inclusive organisation people have unique characteristics and they can be arranged easily as per the situation. Also good communication and coordination in them helps them to bring changes easily.

         

As per experience, if you feel excluded at your work place than you cannot give good performance. Exclusions can be like excluded from conversations in team, from invitations in meetings, not been given equal attention because of different citizenship or belongingness to lower caste group, etc. Exclusion at workplace makes the job a burden and people work with less motivation. This can affect overall performance of the employee and can result in increase in employee turnovers.

However, inclusions means including every individual in all the ongoing activities at workplace without ignoring anyone due to their personal distinctive characteristics or beliefs. This helps them to realise that they are the part of organisation so they work happily and gives good performance. When employees feel happy, motivated and satisfied at their work it automatically improves their performance which is beneficial for the whole organisation.