Organizational Behavior, Term Paper Example

Antidiscrimination along with equal opportunity legislation

Exceptional trend in the global arena have been witnessed in antidiscrimination along with equal opportunity legislation during the second half of the C20^th. Social, governmental, cultural, and economic forces have contributed to the success of this legislation after being neglected for considerable time. A high profile attention was accorded to cultural, economic and social rights, a fact attributed to integration of legal, cultural as well as legal norms. There was also a marked emergency of global bodies as well as mechanisms which acknowledged the important role played by the institutions of human rights in promoting the rights of people. The institutions include the “Committee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights”, “national ombudsman institutions” as well as commissions on human rights. The institutions played a vital role in addressing the economic, cultural as well as social rights (Eberhardt, 1995).

Significant demographic trends in workforce diversity

Immigration is one of the most significant demographic trends affecting workplace. Over 820, 000 immigrants are reported to enter the US every year with two thirds having the potential of joining the workforce. Birth rates coupled with death rates also play an important role in shaping the current workforce. A high number of individuals were born between 1946 and 1964 after the Second World War. This is the baby-boom generation which has attained the prime working age and contributed significantly to the labor market. Education has also been vital in this respect. The level of education has significantly altered the labor market irrespective of ethnicity and the race of the citizens (Triandis, 2004).

Stereotyping and discrimination

Stereotyping and discrimination are two concepts with close similarity as they are applied in daily conversation. The implication of stereotyping is oversimplified notions with respect to individual groups. The groupings are based on ethnicity, race, sexual as well as gender orientation. In most cases, stereotyping is negative although some positive stereotyping is applicable in rare occasions. A good example of negative stereotyping is a main racial group referring to inferior racial group as stupid or indolent (Moskowitz, 2005).

Discrimination on the other hand refers to the actions, feelings and reflection of inferior groups on the basis of their religion, ethnicity, race, age, health sexual as well as gender orientation. A good manifestation of discrimination is unfair practices of housing and biased schemes of hiring in the workplace (Moskowitz, 2005).

Reverse discrimination

A generally favored majority group may be or treated in a less valuable manner as compared to a minority group and this is a manifestation of reverse discrimination. A good example is discrimination of men against women or a favorable treatment of non-Caucasians against unfavorable treatment of Caucasians. Correction of these wrongs have been executed through enactment of laws such as the “civil rights legislations” a good example being the 1964 “Civil Rights Act” which played an important role in proscribing discrimination based on ethnicity, color, race, nationality, sexual as well as gender orientation (Moskowitz, 2005).  Notable forms of reverse discrimination are illegal based on the constitution a good example being Gratz v. Bollinger, Jennifer Gratz case of 1997. Further actions against reverse discrimination have been seen in the laws that were implemented giving special preferences to the groups that were discriminated against. A good example of such laws is the affirmative action.

References

Eberhardt, L. Y., (1995). Bridging the Gender Gap. Mn: Whole Person Associates.

Moskowitz, G. B., (2005). Social Cognition: Understanding Self &Others. N Y: Guilford Press.

Triandis, H. C. (2004). Culture & social behavior. New York: McGraw-Hill.