7 Biggest Diversity Issues in The Workplace

7 Biggest Diversity Issues in The
Workplace
Author: Angela Hood
Workforce recruitment companies always battle diversity issues every day.

While some believe that diversity in the workplace is as simple as meeting the
required quotas for employee race and gender, it’s much, much more than
that.
What True Diversity in the Workplace Means

Diversity in the work environment promotes acceptance, respect, and
teamwork despite differences in race, age, gender, native language, political
beliefs, religion, sexual orientation, or communication styles among
employees.
There are many benefits to having a more diverse workplace. Process and
product innovation results from having employees from a wide variety of
demographics and backgrounds. When different minds come together to
achieve a common goal, the result can be monumental. In fact, it has been
reported that companies that practice diversity and inclusion in the
workplace outperform other non-diverse companies by 15 percent.
However, as the workplace becomes more diverse, more issues arise

accordingly. HR personnel and recruitment professionals need to be aware
of the various challenges associated with diversity so that it can be prevented
and addressed. For this reason, we’ve created a list of the biggest diversity
issues in the workplace.
1. Acceptance and Respect

A fundamental value that contributes to a successfully diversified workplace
is respect among workers and employees. When there is a lack of acceptance
of the diverse culture and beliefs among employees, conflicts may arise.
Sometimes, this conflict turns to animosity and may even effectuate
situations of violence.
When employees accept the differences between each other, it results in a

sharing of ideas and effective collaboration. Acceptance fosters mutual
respect and prevents conflicts from arising.
Diversity training will help employees understand, accept, and respect each’s
other’s differences.
2. Accommodation of Beliefs
Diversity in cultural, spiritual, and political beliefs can sometimes pose a
challenge in a diverse workplace. Employees need to be reminded that they
shouldn’t impose their beliefs on others to prevent spats and disputes. They
also need to make sure to keep their ethnic and personal beliefs
independent of their work responsibilities and duties.
3. Ethnic and Cultural Differences

According to a New York Times report, there are only 5 African-American
CEOs out of Fortune 500 companies. Furthermore, a University of Wisconsin
study revealed that people with African-American sounding names are 14%
less likely to get a callback.
Sadly, issues from ethnic and cultural differences are still present in the
workplace. There are still some individuals who hold prejudice against people
who have different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds as their own.
This prejudice and discrimination should never be tolerated in the workplace

(or anywhere else). Internal company policies with clear and objective
regulations should be put in place to prevent employees from demonstrating
prejudice. Cultural sensitivities training and diversity awareness programs in
the workplace can help address this issue.
4. Gender Equality
According to a recent survey, 40% of people believe that both men and
women will hire men over women. This is supported by another study that
shows that men are 30% more likely to be promoted to a managerial position
than women. Additionally, men earn an approximately 24.1% higher base pay
than women.
In the past, women were paid less than men, but the Equal Pay Act has
changed that. In recent years, there has been an influx of women in the
workplace. Employers need to prevent gender discrimination and maintain
equality regarding hiring, salary, opportunities, and promotions.
5. Physical and Mental Disabilities

Often, disabled employees have a difficult time navigating through their
workplace because proper accommodations as simple as wheelchair ramps
are not available. Some special needs employees also have service dogs, and
some office buildings don’t allow them inside. Decide for service dogs to be
permitted in your place of work.
Have procedures in place for people with physical or mental disabilities.

Some companies have a “quiet room” so that when employees start to feel
anxious, they can use that room to ease their anxiety.
Be supportive to your disabled employees and avoid discriminatory or
derogatory remarks. Ensuring a fair and comfortable work environment for
employees with physical and mental disabilities helps successfully create a
more diverse workforce.
6. Generation Gaps
By 2025, millennials will make up 75% of the workforce, and they are
changing the work culture. Employees from other generations may have
difficulties adapting to changes in the workplace and the work culture that
the younger generation are bringing about.
In larger corporations, there are more diversified age groups, from teenagers
to senior citizens. As a result, cliques and social circles may be formed, and
some workers may be isolated from the team.
There may also be times that workers from different generations may
disagree with how things should be done. To maintain teamwork and
collaboration, create an open communication culture within your
organization to help bridge the gap between generations.
7. Language and Communication

Language and communication barriers are ever-present in companies with a
diverse workforce. Often, US or UK companies hire people whose native
tongue or first language is not English, so employees and managers
sometimes have difficulties in getting their message across. This can lead to
miscommunication and productivity loss.
Language training for non-native English speakers can often prevent this
from happening. Hiring multilingual or bilingual employees can also help
bridge the gap.
Increasing diversity in the workplace will benefit your company in the long
run. In fact, companies with a more diverse workforce perform 35% above
national industry medians.
Make sure that your company works to increase diversity in the workplace
right from the very beginning.

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7 Biggest Diversity Issues in The

Workforce recruitment companies always battle diversity issues every day.

What True Diversity in the Workplace Means

However, as the workplace becomes more diverse, more issues arise

1. Acceptance and Respect

When employees accept the differences between each other, it results in a

3. Ethnic and Cultural Differences

This prejudice and discrimination should never be tolerated in the workplace

5. Physical and Mental Disabilities

Have procedures in place for people with physical or mental disabilities.

7. Language and Communication

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