Diversity Training in the Workplace, Essay Example

Cohesiveness in the workplace is essential to any company’s success. There are many cultures and different backgrounds that make up the work environment. Diversity in the workplace is necessary when fostering acceptances not only dealing with race but gender, age, and different economical, and cultural backgrounds. In the workplace managers should create a work environment that respects and includes the many individuals by maximizing the potential of all employees or in which every employee feels included. The conflict theory plays a major role in how CEO’s used to respond to the workplace by hiring people that were similar to them and forcing others that were different to conform to the norm. However times have changed and so has the workplace. In conflict theory it is recognize that there is conflict any group where inequalities exist, the constant competition and conflict between groups is what contributes to the ever changing society.

Diversity training should be a part of every workplace including to government and corporate agencies. It is important that every employee values and respects their colleague to create a cohesive environment. Diversity training provides employees and managers with the necessary assistance that with developing proactive communication skills in regards to the correct procedures, policies, and objectives. When companies offer diversity training they try to limit the liability, risks, and consequences of sexual harassment, discrimination, or any other complications they may arise in the workplace. In every workplace, valuing diversity means creating a work environment that respects and includes variation individual by maximizing the potential of all employees or in which every employee feels included in the workplace. In the growing workplace that half is made up of minorities a one-dimensional workplace isn’t the norm any longer. CEO’s must make the shift to include more diversity in their workplace in order to be successful. Diversity training is essential for every employee including the executive staff.

Diversity training deals with more than just dealing with racial background. In order for companies to see the benefits of diversity training, it must address major differences such as age, disabilities, gender, cultural, and economic factors. According to the sociology functionalism theory society is every aspect contributes to society functioning as a whole. In the workplace is important that the company is dependent on the employees to work together as a cohesive unit in order for that company to be a success. The workplace must adapt to the increasing diversity in the workplace in order to function properly. The purpose of diversity training is not to do someone a favor by trying to take pity on another employee, or create fake sympathy. As shown in the textbook, when the US Department of Transportation tried to do a role reversal in diversity training it backfired. Most of the employees held a deep resentment for the other, and it widen the bridge further between them.

Training explains how it is in everyone’s benefits especially the company to value diversity and capitalize on the advantages it brings. Diversity training does not create diversity instead it addresses how the company and employees manage the diversity that is continually growing. A way that diversity training could be implemented that employees will learn mutual respect for their colleagues is implementing a way that training is not forced but instead goal oriented like Pepsi demonstrated. They took the managers and gave them the goals of sponsoring other employees there were unlike them. They were expected to understand the different situations and perspectives of the workplace environment from the point of view of the sponsored employees in order to help them identify their talents, and create a more personal work relationship by mentoring people in their group. When diversity training is goal oriented or holds employees accountable for these goals it promotes positive diversity in the workplace.

Practical ways to develop workplaces undivided by gender and race-ethnicity are by instilling behavioral guidelines that prohibit discrimination of other employees. When hiring employees look for more diversity in hiring quality employees, and promote or demote based on work performance only. Hold group meetings to hear suggestions or concerns from every employee while promoting a concern a caring atmosphere. As with the interactionism theory, it is based on actions and communication between individuals. When conflict arises it is important in knowing how to efficiently resolve the problems and prevent them from recurring.