What should be considered when honoring holiday celebrations that respect and celebrate diversity?
Respect — coupled with employee education — is central to celebrating diversity. While the celebration should not detract from the organization’s core business or purpose, such celebrations can and do present rich interaction opportunities. For the celebrants, it is an opportunity to share traditions, customs, histories and perspectives, and for colleagues, it is an opportunity to learn. Honoring another’s beliefs and traditions promotes an organizational culture of mutual respect, and this is a healthy platform for any organization.
Who should be charged with guiding diversity initiatives?
Large organizations frequently have the opportunity to have a person or persons responsible for diversity training and other related initiatives. In the best of all worlds, diversity initiatives should be in the scope of every manager’s duties. In this way, the importance of differences permeates the organization and is looked upon as a strength and a source of capital.
How can an organization benefit from increasing sensitivity and embracing diversity?
Organizations that embrace differences are merely reflecting the larger society. The United States, with a population of roughly 308 million, is one of the most diverse nations. Work force diversity, whether measured by age, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, or any other characteristic, is societal diversity, and increasing understanding within the organizational environment can only be positive for society at large. It is simply the right thing to do.
Linda W. Devine, Ph.D., is the vice president for operations and planning at The University of Tampa and a board director at Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance. Reach her at (813) 253-6203 or [email protected].
