Chapter 2: Managing Demographic and Cultural Diversity

Around the world, the workforce is becoming diverse. In 2018, women made up 47.7% of the workforce in Canada (Catalyst, 2019). Over 1 in 5 Canadians are born outside of Canada, making it a culturally diverse country and workforce (Statistics Canada, 2017). Employees continue to work beyond retirement, introducing age diversity to the workforce. Regardless of your gender, race, and age, it seems that you will need to work with, communicate with, and understand people different from you at school as well as at work. Understanding cultures different from your own is also becoming increasingly important due to the globalization of business.  In this chapter, we will examine particular benefits and challenges of managing a diverse workforce and discuss ways in which you can increase your effectiveness when working with diversity.

As we discuss differing environments faced by employees with different demographic traits, we primarily concentrate on the legal environment in Canada. Please note that the way in which demographic diversity is treated legally and socially varies around the globe. For example, countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have their own versions of equal employment legislation. Moreover, how women, employees of different races, older employees, employees with disabilities, and employees of different religions are viewed and treated shows much variation based on the societal context.

References

Catalyst. (2019). Quick take: Women in the workforce – Canada. Retrieved April 30, 2020, from https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-the-workforce-canada/

Statistics Canada. (2017). Immigration and ethnocultural diversity: Key results from the 2016 Census. Retrieved April 30, 2020 from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/171025/dq171025b-eng.htm?indid=14428-1&indgeo=0