Diversity
in the Workplace
In
this week’s Discussion, you thought about democracy in the workplace. For this
Assignment, you will consider how democratic principles in the workplace are
related to and might be promoted by diversity. Diversity has different
meanings; the particular meaning held by an organization may shape that
organization in a variety of ways. Most organizations profess to value
diversity in the workforce, and employers view the variety of talents and ideas
that a diverse labor pool brings to the job as an economic asset. Diversity
may, however, produce more than just economic benefits for an organization. One
way to better understand diversity is to think about which aspects of diversity
are related to democratic principles. Another way to approach diversity is to
look at which democratic principles are promoted in your own organization
through diversity. As you consider the concept of diversity, take note of
underlying aspects that may advance democracy in the workplace.
To
prepare for this Assignment:
- Review the article “A Contingency Approach to
Representative Bureaucracy: Power, Equal Opportunities and Diversity” in
this week’s Learning Resources. Think about the link between diversity and
representative bureaucracy in the workplace.
- Review the article “The Ideal of Diversity in
Organizations” in this week’s Learning Resources. - Consider strategies for advancing diversity in the
workplace. Pay particular attention to matters such as individual
difference and equality as they relate to diversity in the workplace. - Reflect on basic democratic principles and consider how
they are related to diversity. - Select at least two democratic principles that you
think are promoted by diversity in the workplace and think about how
diversity might or does promote them.
The
Assignment (1–2 pages):
- Briefly describe the democratic principles that you
selected. - Explain how diversity relates to and promotes the
democratic principles you selected. - Based on your analysis, share insights and draw
conclusions about how diversity relates to and promotes democratic
principles in the workplace.
Support
your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its
preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources
not included in the Learning Resources for this course.
