HR Diversity

Course Objective: Describe the interactions of planning, recruitment and

selection
In the United States people have a difficult time accepting others who are
different from themselves. Why does this happen? Can we change this attitude in
our daily life? Can we change it in organizations?
This attitude of not accepting others has been round for a long time and
unfortunately, it seems to continue into every generation. Why does this attitude
continue? One reason is exposure. Someone who is exposed to a stereotypic
mentality is more likely to stereotype than someone who has not. Exposure can
come for several places including, friends and family. Another reason for this
attitude is because people fear what others will say about them. Sometimes, people
will not accept someone who is different from them because of what their friends or
family might think, say or do. The final reason that this attitude happens is because
of lack of diversity. If someone is not used to being around a specific culture or
social class, they are more likely to not accept those people.
Change is never easy but these tips can help those with this attitude be more
accepting of different people. In our personal lives, we need to expand our
networks. We need to make acquaintances from other cities, states and countries.
We can go to local festivals, try new restaurants or social clubs that offer a variety
of cultural experiences. By learning about other peoples culture, we can be more
accepting of them as a person. In a professional atmosphere, employers can offer
diversity training for management on how to handle situations that might arise
because of a diverse workplace while offering a diversity seminar to lower level
employees. Organizations need to encourage employees to express their ideas and
attribute equal value to all. Companies need to promote diversity in leadership
positions. (Greenberg, 2004) This will show that the company values having a
diverse workplace to its current employees, future employees and the community.
In my research on diversity I found an article that included an interesting line.
The author writes Im not sure diversity is about encouraging specific targeted
groups of people into the workplace with pointed strategies and distinctive
benefits. (Gallimore, 2017) My understanding of this is that change to the attitude
cannot be done by just creating a quota. What I mean is that a company cannot
simply go We havent hired enough LQBT so need to hire more. The author means
that hiring should be based on the skills that the employee possesses and the value
the employee will bring to the company, regardless of other attributes.
The U.S. has taken steps to help protect individuals by creating legislation
that promotes diversity in the Workplace. Some of these legislations include the
1964 Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination Act of
1969, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. (Laws.com, 2017)
There are other legislations which can be found on the reference provided. These
legislations protect employment rights regardless of age, color, disability, genetic
information, military status or experience, nationality origin, pregnancy, race, or
religion. Currently some states have protection for sexual orientation and marital
status. Our book does state that there are some instances that an employer can
exclude a person on otherwise illegal bases. (Robert L. Mathis, 2016) The employer
needs to have a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification reason for exclusion and is
advised to contact the EEOC if they are going to do so.

Reference
Gallimore, H. (2017, January). Diversity. Logistics & Transport Focus, 19(1), 3-3.
2/3p. Retrieved January 31, 2017, from
http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.db12.linccweb.org/ehost/detail/detail?sid=2d2bc3ee-
d00d-43b3-8211-
7bf2374d6362%40sessionmgr101&vid=6&hid=119&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbG
l2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=120575957&db=bth

Greenberg, J. (2004). Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges and Solutions.

Retrieved from The Multicultural Advantage:
http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/recruit/diversity/diversity-in-the-workplace-
benefits-challenges-solutions.asp

Laws.com. (2017). Diversity in the Workplace. Retrieved from Laws:

http://employment.laws.com/diversity-in-the-workplace

Robert L. Mathis, J. H. (2016). Human Resource Management (7 ed.). Boston, MA,

USA: Cengage learning.