Microsoft Word - Playing Your Part 1 - Diversity in the Workplace.doc

Program Support Notes by:

Peter Verrion TAE, DipVET, Grad

Cert VET

Produced by:

VEA Pty Ltd

Commissioning Editor:

Sandra Frerichs B.Ed, M.Ed.

Executive Producers:

Edwina Baden-Powell B.A, CVP.

Sandra Frerichs B.Ed, M.Ed.

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these

support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to

CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

2

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

For Teachers

Introduction

In the workplace, you will be working with people with a range of diverse backgrounds; people of

different cultural backgrounds, different ages and different abilities. This program explores what

diversity is, and how to work effectively with people from a range of diverse backgrounds.

The program uses a case study from a simulated workplace, where staff from diverse backgrounds

show how they work together. It shows the issues that can arise and how these can be effectively

dealt with to allow a harmonious and productive workplace.

Timeline

00:00:00 The scope of diversity

00:03:27 Responding sensitively

00:07:31 Know the guidelines

00:12:13 Communicating appropriately

00:17:10 Building on diversity

00:22:19 Credits

00:23:04 End program

Related Titles

Playing Your Part 2 – Workplace Relationships

Workplace Training – Planning, Organising and facilitating

Meeting Management Challengers 1

Meeting Management Challengers 2

Recommended Resources

•

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

•

http://resources.fahcsia.gov.au/ConsumerTrainingSupportProducts/external/cultural_communicatio

n_fact_sheet.htm

•

http://legacy.communitydoor.org.au/resources/etraining/units/chcorg3b/section3/section3topic02.ht

ml

•

http://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/sales-customer-service/sales-skills/non-verbal-

communication-skills

•

http://www.negotiationtraining.com.au/articles/social-ethics/

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

3

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Student Worksheet

Initiate Prior Learning

1. What do you know about diversity? Find out the dictionary definition, as well as some definitions

from other sources, such as ‘diversity’ websites.

2. Make a list of some of the people you know, and find out how they would contribute to the diversity

of a workplace. These may be family, friends, people in the community, etc.

3. Do you think there is a need for recognition of people’s differences to be written into legislation?

Explain your answer.

4. In a group, discuss some ideas for how you can work effectively with people who are from

cultures/backgrounds you are unfamiliar with.

5. Research the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNUDHR). Which articles

relate to diversity in the workplace?

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

4

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Active Viewing Guide

The scope of diversity

1. List at least five of the different types of diversity you might encounter.

_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Dennis cannot get everyone to agree on a meeting time. What are the different issues that the

three staff members have?

_________________________________________________________________________________

3. What does working effectively with diversity mean?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Responding sensitively

4. There are two versions of the same scene (where Kevin and Dennis are discussing the meeting

that didn’t happen). What differences between the two versions do you notice?

_________________________________________________________________________________

5. a) Who else besides staff members need to be considered when dealing with diversity?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

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b) Why do you think it is important to consider these other groups?

_________________________________________________________________________________

6. How do you respond sensitively?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Know the guidelines

7. Why must workplaces accept diversity?

_________________________________________________________________________________

8. What does ‘DDEO’ stand for?

_________________________________________________________________________________

9. a) What is the purpose of DDEO policies within organisations and enterprises?

_________________________________________________________________________________

b) In larger organisations, which department usually oversees these policies?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

6

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Communicating appropriately

10. Nasim talks to Dennis about an issue she has at a meeting:

a) What was Heather’s condition that Nasim wasn’t aware of?

_________________________________________________________________________________

b) Do you think people should be forced to tell others what impairments they have? Why/why not?

_________________________________________________________________________________

11. Verbal language is just one aspect of communication. What two other aspects of communication

should you be aware of when communicating in the workplace?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Building on diversity

12. What are the advantages of ‘recognizing people’s differences and making the most of what people

can bring’?

_________________________________________________________________________________

13. Heather and Dennis are speaking about customer complaints:

a) What does Heather suggest to Dennis that Kevin could do?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

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b) Why might Kevin be able to do this?

_________________________________________________________________________________

14. a) What other language does Nasim speak fluently?

_________________________________________________________________________________

b) What are the benefits of Heather’s suggestion that Nasim translate the newsletter?

_________________________________________________________________________________

15. Why do you feel that having diversity of staff in a workplace can be a good thing?

_________________________________________________________________________________

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

8

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Extension Activities

1. In a group, work together to survey the variety of diversity in the group. Create a graph showing

the results.

2. In small groups of 3 or 4, conduct some role plays where each person chooses to be someone

from a different cultural group (you may need to do some research on that group). Explore the

issues that may arise from this group trying to work effectively together.

3. The issue of eye contact and how it differs between cultures was mentioned in the program. Find

out how this differs around the world, and what it might mean. Report back to the group with your

findings.

4. Imagine that part of your work role is to produce a company newsletter. Draft an article that

outlines why diversity is important to the company.

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

9

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Suggested Student Responses

Active Viewing Guide

The scope of diversity

1. List at least 5 of the different types of diversity you might encounter.

Answers will vary. The list may include: age, race, gender, colour, sexual orientation,

language, religion, politics, mental or physical ability

2. Dennis cannot get everyone to agree on a meeting time. What are the different issues that the

three staff members have?

Nasim has prayers, Stella has to pick up her children, and Andre has an appointment

3. What does working effectively with diversity mean?

Creating a work environment where everyone’s differences are accepted and respected

Responding sensitively

4. There are two versions of the same scene (where Kevin and Dennis are discussing the meeting

that didn’t happen). What differences between the two versions do you notice?

The main difference is an acceptance of differences; Kevin shows more sensitivity to those

differences.

5. a). Who else besides staff members need to be considered when dealing with diversity?

Clients, customers, suppliers, government representatives

b). Why do you think it is important to consider these other groups?

Answers will vary but may include: because these people form part of the workplace and

deserve the same respect accorded to work colleagues.

6. What is involved in responding sensitively?

Recognizing differences

Accepting diversity exists

Showing empathy to others

Accepting differences in others

Know the guidelines

7. Why must workplaces accept diversity?

It’s the law

8. What does ‘DDEO’ stand for?

Diversity, Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

9. a) What is the purpose of DDEO policies within organisations and enterprises?

To inform employees of their rights and responsibilities

b) In larger organisations, which department usually oversees these policies?

HR departments

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

10

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Communicating appropriately

10. Nasim talks to Dennis about an issue she has at a meeting:

a) What was Heather’s condition that Nasim wasn’t aware of?

Heather’s hearing impairment

b) Do you think people should be forced to tell others what impairments they have? Why/why not?

Answers will vary

11. Verbal language is just one aspect of communication. What two other aspects of communication

should you be aware of when communicating in the workplace?

Cultural Diversity and Body language

Building on diversity

12. What are the advantages of ‘recognizing people’s differences and making the most of what people

can bring’?

It enhances the way the organization operates

It promotes innovation and exchange of ideas

It can improve productivity and the bottom line

It can increase job satisfaction for the employee

13. Heather and Dennis are speaking about customer complaints:

a) What does Heather suggest to Dennis that Kevin could do?

Present sessions to staff on how to communicate with older clients

b) Why might Kevin be able to do this?

He has experience in dealing with older people

14. a) What other language does Nasim speak fluently?

Arabic

b) What are the benefits of Heather’s suggestion that Nasim translate the newsletter?

To make use of Nasim’s skills; support customers whose first language is Arabic; make

Nasim feel more valued.

15. Why do you feel that having diversity of staff in workplace can be a good thing?

Answers will vary but include:

It enhances the way the organization operates

It promotes innovation and exchange of ideas

It can improve productivity and the bottom line

It can increase job satisfaction for the employee

Playing Your Part 1

Diversity in the Workplace

11

Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference.

Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Extension Activities

1. In a group, work together to survey the variety of diversity in the group. Create a graph showing

the results.

2. In small groups of 3 or 4, conduct some role plays where each person chooses to be someone

from a different cultural group (you may need to do some research on that group). Explore the

issues that may arise from this group trying to work effectively together.

3. The issue of eye contact and how it differs between cultures was mentioned in the program. Find

out how this differs around the world, and what it might mean. Report back to the group with your

findings.

4. Imagine that part of your work role is to produce a company newsletter. Draft an article that

outlines why diversity is important to the company.