Respect Differences
Respect sounds like such a basic, simple concept. You give others space to practice their beliefs and values, and they do the same for you. Kids today learn this concept as preschoolers, when differences don't matter. But people change as they grow up and gain experience in the world. They develop biases, intolerances, and prejudices — a sad reality of the adult world.
Encourage employees to refrain from using their native language when other employees who do not speak the language are present. Regardless of what's being said, the practice excludes others from the conversation and is often perceived as rude and divisive.
Everybody is different somehow. Funny thing, though, is that people don't often see themselves as the ones who are different! They instead complain about the appearances and behaviors of other people as though they are somehow wrong. Or, as they're more likely to view it, as though they're somehow more right.
Nonmerit Factors
The laws that protect workplace diversity identify certain core characteristics as nonmerit factors, that is, factors that must be excluded from consideration when deciding whether an applicant merits employment. These include the following:
Age
Race
Disability
Gender
Ethnicity
Sexual orientation
Religion
It violates federal and often state laws to treat employees differently on the basis of any nonmerit factor. State laws sometimes add to this list; as a manager, you must know the laws in your state. Additionally, your company may have policies that further define expected and prohibited behaviors in the workplace. Your company, and sometimes you personally, can face legal action and civil liability for violating these laws.
Later chapters in this book address the legal perspectives of equal opportunity, discrimination, and harassment. See Chapters 18, 19, and 20 to read about the laws and regulations that affect behavior in the workplace.
Celebrate Individuality
Getting along in the workplace doesn't mean that everyone should strive to be the same. From the narrow perspective of productivity in the workplace, each person's unique qualities are what make effective teams. They broaden perspectives, offering insights that can open new avenues of market share. From the wider perspective of human interaction, the sharing of unique qualities makes life interesting and fosters new bonds in the global community. These extended dimensions are especially essential for companies that have operations in other countries.
