Diversity in the Workplace

IDS300W Sarah Dupre
Final Paper
Diversity in the Workplace

Diversity Training in the Workplace

When I look around my workplace, I see people of all different creeds, ethnicities and ages. People of different religions and backgrounds all working together in one office space. In 2011 most American workplaces look like mine, filled with diversity. This is a new experience for America. In the early 1900’s almost all workplaces were not diverse, you would hardly ever see white and blacks working together. In fact segregation was so prominent that people would be segregated not only by color and gender but heritage. Italians would live and work together, Germans would group together, and people of Polish descent would do the same. Times are changing. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of Asian workers in the U.S. increased by 44 percent from 2005 to 2010, while Hispanic workers increased by 36 percent and African-American workers will increased by 20.7 percent. More women are expected to enter the workforce as well, and they already hold the majority of jobs. Workers 55 years and older will also likely increase by 50 percent by 2012, as baby boomers continue to age. Now that the workplace and America has become more diversified diversity training has become a part of almost all companies. But how is it viewed in companies? Does it help or hurt companies achieve its goals?
When many people think of diversity, they think first of ethnicity and race, and then gender, but diversity is much broader. Diversity is the human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, but are present in other people and groups around us. This includes but is not limited to: age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, sexual orientation, educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, religious beliefs, parental status, and work experience.
Workplace...