Diversity in the Workplace

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Department of Psychology

Dr. Michelle C. Haynes
978-934-3925
michelle_haynes@uml.edu

Over the last 50 years, the workplace has changed dramatically in terms of its composition along various dimensions. A review of the current organizational landscape makes this evident: 

 

• Women now make up not only almost half of labor force in total, but also occupy approximately 50% of managerial and professional specialty positions.
  
  
• There is substantial domestic ethnic/cultural diversity, with the number of minorities increasing in the workforce.
  
  
• There is a rapidly increasing international worker presence in the US (both legal and “illegal”).
  
  
• Globalization has increased the need for communication across cultures.
  
  
• Interdepartmental alliances -- such as the use teams to improve business strategy -- often bring together people from diverse portions of companies, with different backgrounds, education, experience, etc.

 

Despite this inevitable diversity in the workplace, working with people from different backgrounds is challenging. Many people prefer to work with others who are “like them” in age, gender, race, education, and economic status. There is comfort in sharing the same background and culturally based traditions and ideals. Working with others who do not share similar interpersonal expectations or ways of communicating can contribute to tensions emanating from misattributions and conflicting values.

 

Yet beyond presenting an important social issue that requires attention in organizations, leading scholars have begun to recognize diversity as a strategic business imperative. Known as the “Value in Diversity Hypothesis,” the notion is that beyond the demographics of the workplace changing, the market place - both in terms of consumers and the emerging business practices such as globalization- is also becoming increasingly diverse. As such, when properly incorporated and managed, diversity can actually increase organizational effectiveness.

 

Finally, in the face of an increasingly diverse workforce, legal guidelines have been established by legislation such as the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act to protect the rights of underrepresented populations. Organizational leaders must be equipped with knowledge of these guidelines and must develop the necessary skills to create an environment that is in compliance with these legal standards.

 

In light of these noteworthy factors, organizational leaders face the significant challenge to more fully understand the dynamic forces that make diversity complicated in organizations and to maximize the positive, creative potential of diversity among employees. 

 

 

Structure of the Certificate

 

The core course, Workplace Diversity, would introduce students to the theoretical constructs surrounding diversity in the workplace as well as focus on skill development for managing diversity in the work domain. Courses in the “Social Trends” cluster focus on the broader social, economic, and political forces that affect diversity in the workplace including the changing nature of work, globalization, and public policy. Offerings in the “Systems Dynamics” cluster are courses that enhance students’ understanding of people from diverse backgrounds and explore the ways in which dynamics within workplaces (and other human systems) shape relations among diverse group.

This certificate is for both future and current industry and organizational leaders who want to advance their theoretical knowledge as well as their hands on skills for working with and managing diverse employees. Certificate candidates will increase their awareness of communication and cultural differences, and be encouraged to develop strategies to effectively manage these differences. Candidates will be challenged to go beyond simply tolerating differences; rather the goal is to improve their work life, organizational culture, and organizational effectiveness by harnessing the value of these differences.

 

Students who complete this certificate will emerge better equipped to work within our increasingly diverse workplaces. They will acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to take on leadership roles in both profit and nonprofit organizations.

 

 

Courses (12 credits):

 

Required Course:
47.526   Workplace Diversity

 

Social Trends - select one course:

57.542 Gender, Work and Public Policy
57.511 Dynamics of Power and Authority
57.516 Globalization, Work, and Family

 

System Dynamics Electives – select one:
47.500 Introduction to Community Social Psychology
47.505 Work and Family 
47.522 Psychology of Diversity

 

Open Electives –select one additional course from either the preceding lists or the list below:

19.500 Introduction to Work Environment

19.542 Human Factors

19.643 Healthy Work Organization Design

47.523 Women in the Community

47.527 Immigrant Psychology and Communities

47.542 Working with Groups

47.545 Community & Organizational Change  

57.503/19.654 Work and Technology

57.512 Community Conflict Resolution

57.537 Development Principles