How to Respect Workplace Diversity

by Oct 7, 2013

Workplace diversity entails more than simply race and gender. Today’s office environment includes people from different ethnicity, age, education, and even income level. The importance of having mutual respect in the workplace not only helps foster a positive work environment, but also brings the melting pot of employees together. However, when diversity is poorly managed, it can lead to resentment among employees.

Benefits of Workplace Diversity

Each employee has his or her life experiences they bring to work everyday. These different points of view can be beneficial to your organization. Different approaches often mean more creative ideas and ways to work around any adversity the company faces.

Encourage Ideas

Respect is important when it comes to sharing ideas. Without mutual respect in the workplace, some employees might not share ideas because of the fear of being ridiculed. When your co-workers feel respected, they will be more receptive to share ideas with you on future projects.

Foster Teamwork

Teams are successful when all team members feel valued. Bringing together a group of employees and teaching them to respect workplace diversity can equip the whole team to quickly deal with adversity. When group members are able to respect one another for their beliefs and differences, the organization will be more productive.

Reduce Conflict

Conflicts slow down the productivity of employees since it prevents them from working together. It creates resentment and can lower the morale of the employees. Having respect for workplace diversity is critical. When both parties have respect for one another, it can be easier to resolve conflict because they won’t feel discriminated against when they don’t get what they want.

Are workplaces really becoming more disrespectful? How else can you establish a respectful working environment?

Civility is the platform for organizational success—it is absolutely necessary for an organization to reach its goals. Download our Ebook on Seeking Civility to learn more on how to create a workplace free of bullying and abusive conduct.

 
  •  

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

Rebecca Del Secco: Six Years With Civility Partners!

We would like to take a moment to celebrate and recognize the incredible contributions of Rebecca Del Secco, our exceptional People & Culture Consultant, who has dedicated six remarkable years to Civility Partners.  Rebecca began her journey with us as an intern,...

Recognizing 5 DEIB Influencers in Unexpected Places

Picture this: a world where workplace culture is transformed not just by well-known DEIB influencers, but by unexpected heroes who wield the power of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in their own unique ways.  DEIB are increasingly recognized as...

10 Songs About Inclusion to Play in your Office

In a diverse and inclusive workplace, it's important to create an environment where all employees feel welcome and valued. One way to promote a sense of unity and acceptance is through the power of music.  Playing songs about inclusion in your office can help inspire...

It Starts with You: The Power of Being an Upstander

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you witnessed behavior that made you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, but weren't sure how to respond? Maybe it was a situation where someone was being bullied or harassed, or perhaps it was a situation where someone was...

Three More Brilliant Tips for Dealing with an Angry Boss

A few years ago, we shared five simple tips on how to deal with an angry boss, and the response was overwhelming! We're back with even more tips to help you navigate this challenging situation with civility in mind. According to a survey conducted by the Workplace...

Insights from the Craft Brewers Conference

Last Sunday, May 7th, I had the honor of being a keynote speaker at the THRIVE pre-conference, which was a roadmap to a safe, inclusive, and equitable experience at the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). As a conference held in Nashville, TN, a city known for its musical...

3 Tips to Leverage Positive Psychology at Work

In the world of traditional thinking, the notion that success leads to happiness is a commonly held belief. We're taught that if we work hard and achieve our goals, then we'll be happy. However, research in positive psychology has revealed a new perspective: happiness...

The Power of Psychological Capital in Creating a Positive Work Culture

Have you ever pondered why some individuals seem to flourish in tough situations while others flounder? It's likely due to their high level of psychological capital, also known as "PsyCap." Researchers in the field of positive psychology have even coined the term Post...

3 Fun Team-Building Exercises to Boost Employee Engagement

When your team members feel appreciated, connected, and invested in their work, they tend to be more productive, creative, and committed to the success of your company. But how do you keep your team members feeling engaged, connected, and excited about their work?...

How Does Your Work Culture Measure Up?

Workplace culture is like the secret sauce that gives your organization its unique flavor. It's a mixtape of attitudes, behaviors, and vibes that make your team groove, from epic dance-offs during lunch breaks to friendly rivalries over who has the coolest coffee...