Diversity in the workplace is very common nowadays, thanks to globalization and an ever changing business and marketplace trend. Gender and race are the most common diversity factors associated with modern workplaces. However, age group, marital status, family responsibilities, economic status and religion of coworkers, make the workplace atmosphere rather cumbersome and harmful through various stereotypes (Solvic, 2011). Stereotyping is a human behavior common in multicultural workplaces wherein individuals place certain labels on others that result in making universal assumptions about others even as they have very little or absolutely no personal information about them. For instance, there are certain popular plays illustrating blonds as dumb which is not true. Stereotyping leads to misunderstanding among individuals that leads to unrest and low productivity. Educating the employees on the negative impacts of stereotypes and promoting harmony among the workforce would help promote good workplace ethics that promote productivity.
I believe dealing with the ethnic minorities would be a challenging task at the workplace. World over ethnic minorities continue to report harassment at the workplace (Cadman, 2015). Currently, ethnic minorities, including Africans and Asians, are reported to suffer high rates of unemployment besides receiving lower salaries compared to their white counterparts. Popular stereotypes associated with the minority groups play havoc on their career growth, regardless of their knowledge and skills. As a matter of fact, the stereotypes impede the ethnic minority groups within organizations to perform to their fullest potential since their efforts either go unnoticed or unrecognized.
Having individuals belonging to multiple ethnic group also leads members belonging to a particular group to develop certain common interests. There are chances of these groups developing into political organizations to fight for their interests at the corporate level. This makes the ethnic groups as active individuals who always fight for their rights without contributing significantly to the productivity at the workplace. For example, there are many historical and political factors associated with the African American workforce in America that lead to several such stereotypes attached to them that lead to discrimination at the workplace.
The historical “slave” label attached to the Black American community is the foundation of various stereotypes associated with the group today. For instance, many employers could not still afford to see Black Americans, particularly women, in senior managerial positions. Similarly Black American men, known for criminal stereotyping find it hard to win the trust of fellow employees belonging to other ethnic groups. Less intelligent and physically violent are two popular stereotypes that prevent potential African American youngsters from getting befitting jobs.
Understanding and appreciating each other’s culture is the key to fight stereotypes in the workplace. Therefore, I would try to combat stereotypes at the workplace through educating the employees. Promoting an atmosphere that facilitates understanding the other cultures through offering diversity training to all employees and managers would help employees value the beliefs of each other. Also, encouraging free discussion among the employees and organizing cultural events would help employees understand each other deeply.
Lack of challenging opportunities tend to reduce the motivation level of employees who face discrimination. Therefore, my second strategy would be developing racial diversity at the top level by giving opportunities to the ethnic groups subjected to discrimination. Individuals belonging to ethnic groups, through their performance would prove wrong many stereotypes associated with the ethnic groups. For example, a Black American woman elevated to a senior position would prove wrong through her managerial skill that Black African American women are kind and caring against the angry stereotype attached to them.
The enemy of diversity at the workplace is stereotypes that continue to discriminate and marginalize a particular group of employees within organizations. This leads to frequent unrest that challenges the growth of the organization. However, promoting a friendly environment so that employees understand and appreciate each other’s culture would help fight stereotypes and associated discrimination. Recognizing their talents and giving responsible roles to deserving employees belonging to ethnic groups would motivate other members of the groups to put in their best efforts towards scaling new heights pushing aside the stereotypes that hamper their progress.
References
Cadman, E. (2015). Ethnic minorities still face workplace bias, study shows. Politics & Policy. Retrieved from http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/241bf704-86fc-11e5-9f8c-a8d619fa707c. html# axzz3zCJAM76f
Solovic, S.W. (2011). Workplace Stereotyping: A Silent Productivity Destroyer. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/workplace-stereotyping-a_b_564233.html?section=india.
