Managing Workforce Diversity
Diversity is defined as the personification of various cultures within a social or business environment. The fundamental principles of any culture include their value systems, beliefs, habits, and lifestyle. The varied inclusions consist of individuals from different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and religious beliefs; without regard to their gender, age, or lifestyle. Diversity includes dimensions that expand the criteria outlines in the U.S. Government equal opportunity and affirmative action mandates (Anonymous, 2005). Diversity in the workplace has become the number one targeted objective in organizations globally. Effectively managing diversity in areas such as religion, culture, stress, age, gender, race, and sexual orientation is the key to achieving global success in the workplace.
Religion
The issues surrounding religion in the workplace in the United States go back to the founding of our country. There are very specific laws that govern the rights of individuals and employers when it comes to governing different religious beliefs. Today, individuals have the right to worship while at work, as long as their worship does not fundamentally interfere with the operation of the business. To better understand the history of religion in the workplace it is prudent to look to the past and the path our country has taken over the last 232 years.
Religious Rights - A Historical Perspective
One of the main motivations for our founding fathers in their determination to create a new and separate nation was the right to worship freely. Our forefathers were starting a nation that, at its fundamental core, was to be tolerant of people’s rights to practice the religion of their choosing without in ...