Working with diversityJames O. Rodgers
As you know, the U.S. population is quickly becoming more
diverse. But you probably didn't know the U.S. Department of Labor
(DOL) projects the country's population will increase 49 percent to
420 million by 2050. And U.S. Census Bureau projections suggest the
percentage of Americans who are white but not Hispanic will drop
from 69 percent in 2000 to 50 percent in 2050. In 1950, 90 percent
of the U.S. population was white but not Hispanic.
Consequently, the U.S. work force also is changing and becoming
more diverse, and DOL expects this rate of change to accelerate
during the 21st century. In fact, DOL reports the current
likelihood of working with or managing a multicultural team is
nearly 100 percent.
Diversity at work essentially is the collective mix of
differences and similarities encountered in the work force,
workplace and marketplace. And though diversity among employees
offers the potential for a positive, productive workplace, it
easily can lead to chaos, confusion, controversy, suspicion,
conflict, tension and discord, as well.
To properly manage diversity in your company, you must be
committed to getting to know your employees as individuals, not as
part of their...
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