Diversity in the Work Place

HOW DIVERSE IS THE WORKFORCE?
It was predicted that in the United States between 1985 and 2000, 85 per cent of entry-level employees to the workforce would be ‘women, minorities and immigrants’. African-Americans currently comprise 10.1 per cent of the United States' 112.4 million employed workforce. However, the same group has less than 10 percent in managerial and technical positions. (Clements & Jones, 2006) Recently, however, Barrack Obama, an African-American man have been elected to the highest office in the United States.

New Trend in the U.S. Population
By 2050, the U.S. population is expected to increase in great numbers and minority groups will make up nearly half of the population of 54%. This is an expected population of 235.7 million of the 439 total populations in the United States. The workforce of working adults would consist of 55% minorities by 2050. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008) With these growing numbers, being a minority would have to take on a new meaning.

DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE
Diversity is about everyone. It is not about separating groups of people, but bringing people together to achieve the goals of the corporate organization. This is achieved when individuals have the opportunity to fairly demonstrate their unique strengths and contributions. The competition within all organizations today is to find talented and skilled workers. Diversity is important for recruiters because it provides a rich pool of applicants that can bring in new ideas, points of views and resources. With the mixture of different people and ideas, conflict is bound to arise; however when managed correctly it can actually become what is called “ creative abrasion”, where opposing viewpoints compliment each other.

As you pursue your career dreams within an organization or out on your own, remember that the majority vote and choice on your life comes from you!


References

Clements, P., & Jones, J. (2006). The diversity-training handbook: A practical guide to understanding and changing attitudes (2nd ed.). London, England & Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page Limited.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2008, August 14, 2008). An older and more diverse nation by mid-century [Press release]. Retrieved from www.census.gov


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Shemeka Peters