Running head: THINKING ABOUT DIVERSTY AND INCLUSION

Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion Arita Gibbs SOC/315 December 15, 2011 Monica Neloms

Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion What are the dimensions of cultural diversity? Identify and briefly explain the dimensions by referencing both textbooks. Diversity can be defined has how individuals are identified. The dimension of cultural diversity has a primary and secondary function. The variation and similarity connecting the groups should be transacted at the same time. The primary functions are gender, ethic religious, sexual orientation, ability, age, and size differences (Harvey &Allard, 2009). The primary dimensions of cultural diversity can shape each persons self-image and has an influence on his or her experiences, values, assumptions, and expectations during every stage of life. Secondary functions of dimensions of cultural diversity consist of geographic location, military, and work experience, family status, income, religion, first language, and education (Schaefer, 2011). These are factors that no one has control of. The only control a person has is

choosing the right or wrong pathway in life. Secondary dimensions of cultural diversity also can bring a variety of differences to the workplace and can enhance his or hers life experiences. With what ethnic, cultural, or other groups do you identify? Describe what members of your social circle have in common. The ethnic and cultural group that I can identify myself with is African American. When I was a little girl I did not know the difference between white, black, green or yellow. I mainly just wanted someone to play with and have fun with. One of My childhood best friends was Caucasian. People thought we were conjoined at the hip because we spent a large amount of time together. One day her mother made a remark about black people were not clean. She replied that I was not in that group because I was light skinned. I was about eight years old I did not understand why she made this statement, but it did not make me feel too good. Of course I came home and told my parents what happen, and that did not go well. I came from a Christian home.

Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion My parents were raised as Baptist, and we attended church every Sunday, and this is still my belief as an adult. As far as the members of my social circle, I have friends from all types of cultures and groups. I have found that one can learn so much more by listening to other people with different cultures and backgrounds. What is the difference between diversity and inclusion? The difference between diversity and inclusion is diversity is a set of different types of life experiences and heritage. In my week one readings from Section I A framework for Understanding Individual Perspectives of Diversity defines diversity has the ways in which

people differ that may affect their organizational experience in terms of performance, motivation, communication, and inclusion (Harvey &Allard, 2009). No one person is the same each and every one of us is different. For example, his or her race, eye color, height, sex is just a few of the differences. Inclusion is a collection of rules, actions, and programs that make an environment, which individuals who are different are able to use his or her difference to benefit the company. When a company has provided an inclusive setting employees feel they are important contributors to the companys mission (Harvey &Allard, 2009). Diversity and inclusive both have unique differences when business incorporating culture within the two only adds a nurturing leadership growth to Americas workforce. What is the importance of workplace diversity training? The importance of workplace diversity training is to improve the skill-set between employees and to help him or her learn how better to communicate with each other. Most people are not aware of the cultural sensitivity dealing with someones religious beliefs, ethnicity, sex, background, sexual orientation, disabilities and age (Schaefer, 2011). Diversity training may not solve every problem it is sometimes a long process to change the way another person thinks.

Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion Diversity training can raise awareness and teach employees how to accept differences between other employees. The main goal every company is trying to achieve when enforcing diversity training is to generate a positive working atmosphere by helping each employee know how to deal with the differences that come about working with other coworkers. Most companies

believe this is a win-win for everyone because diversity training can improve the quality of work completed by the employees, and he or she is more likely to be happier, which increases productivity. What is your experience with workplace culture? Could there be, or could there have been, more inclusion? My experience with my previous employment could have been more inclusive. I worked for Swift Transportation a trucking company, which had more than 20,000 employees. There were many different personalities and beliefs going around. There was not a lot of incentives for the employees we were mainly told you should be happy to have a job. I worked in the recruiting and safety part of the office. Believe or not managers were more concerned about what a person wore and if the employee were a female the objective was to watch if she were able to maintain a manicure and pedicure. There were several lawsuits against the company for discrimination and other issues, which brought down employee morale. I found myself trying to boost employee morale and I was not a part of the management team. In the end, poor management, misshandling of funds cause the company to consolidate their Memphis terminal and move everything to Phoenix Arizona which put hundreds of people out of work and after more than 10 years of employment I became unemployed.

Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion References Harvey, C. P., & Allard, M. J. (2009). Understanding and managing diversity (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Schaefer, R. T. (2011). Racial and ethnic groups (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.