The Needs of a Changing Workforce, Essay Example

Case four begins with Sylvia Wagner being supremely happy about receiving an offer as ‘managing auditor with Deloitte & Touche at the firm’s Seattle office” (Hergenreter J. and Wells, K., 2007). She performed exceptionally and after two years had settled in well. She did, however, miss getting a promotion due to miscommunication between her and her boss Robert. In a large diverse company, of which Deloitte & Touche was one, there exist many different styles of communication. Ribbink (2003) and the Aviary Group give much helpful advice about how to better communicate in today’s diverse workplace.

Question No. 01. When I hear the word, “diversity,” I think of differences, which exist in almost everything—employees’ gender, age, race, ethnicity, level of education; a company’s product line; management styles, etcetera. Miscommunication can easily occur since various cultures sometimes attach different meanings to the same word and to body language. Managers must learn to understand their diverse workforce and help members to also understand it.

Question No. 02. Robert gave memberships to fitness clubs to recognize top performance. Both Mike and Sylvia received such memberships, Mike to an exclusive men’s club where many deals were made and Sylvia to another club. By virtue of her gender, Sylvia could not receive a membership to the same club to which Robert—and now Mike—belonged and, consequently, was not in a position to be able to make such deals as well.

Question No. 03. Robert chose Mike because Sylvia rarely spoke up at departmental meetings even when there were contentious issues involving her projects, but Mike did. Mike had great technical skills and had the confidence to deal with high profile clients. The job would also involve quite a bit of travel and Robert knew that Sylvia wanted to start a family soon.

Question No. 04. Sylvia was confused about Robert’s behaviour when he gave Mike the job because she felt that Robert knew she wanted it. Robert was confused at Sylvia’s reaction because he felt that by not promoting her she could have the time with her husband that she wanted. Paul asked Sylvia if she had ever told Robert that she wanted the job, that she needed to open and direct.

Question No. 05. With respect to conflict resolution Sylvia would try and smooth things over, while Robert and Mike would be open and direct in dealing with the issues as they would be in identifying and articulating goals and needs. Sylvia would feel these should be recognized by her behaviour. Sylvia would be the most intuitive about the goals and needs of others. All three would compete fairly; however, the men would express their goals, Sylvia would not. The open and direct method would be most effective.

Question No. 06. Sylvia was reluctant to announce her pregnancy until she was sure she could get flex time. She was concerned that flex time might interrupt her job momentum, and it did end up keeping her out of the loop. I would either get back to work full time as soon as possible or put on hold some of my high aspirations.

Question No. 07. Top management investigated the high turnover of women and found the issue to be complex. However, women are the ones who have babies and care for them and often for extended family members as well. High turnover does cost companies money.

Works Cited

Aviary Group. Special issue on: Impacts of diversity in the workplace: Maintaining open communication. Retrieved on May 26, 2012, from http://www.aviarygroup.ca/special-issue-on-impacts-of-diversity-in-the-.

Hergenreter J. and Wells K. (2007). Case 4 Deloitte & Touche: Addressing the Needs of a changing work force. Elsevier Inc.

Ribbink, Kim. (March 02, 2003). Harvard Business School. Working Knowledge for Business Leaders. Seven ways to better communicate in today’s diverse workplace—Seven tips for communicating in today’s diverse workplace. Retrieved on May 26, 2012, from http://www.hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3266.html.