In: Operations Management
Does having a diverse workplace lesson the unethical behavior within the workplace, why or why not?
Unethical behavior at workplace can be lying, abusing others, misusing resources of company, etc. For ethical workplace, cooperation, respectfulness, professional approach, integrity, accountability, etc. are required. With a diverse workforce, good communication is enhanced and different points of views are welcomed. Respect to different cultural practices is also enhanced. With diverse workforce, it is ensured that harassment of any particular employee and discrimination against him or her does not take place. This fosters better cooperation and coordination and as ethical workplace requires cooperation, it indicates that diverse workforce creates an ethical workplace. Abusive practices of employees are reduced and employees take responsibility to use resources well.
Top leaders are responsible for fostering work ethics. In a diverse work force, generally top leaders enforce high ethics at workplace. With a diverse workforce, employees understand their cultural practices and negative influences on other employees; therefore, they develop personal accountability to demonstrate professionalism. As professionalism is highly required in ethical work culture, it can be said that diverse workforce lessens unethical behavior such as bullying and discrimination against others. Diversity workshops organized in a diverse work culture not only make employees to respect different cultural practices, but minimize unethical behavior.
As diversity helps to gain cultural insights, and improves employee engagement, unethical behavior such as abusing and discrimination are minimized. Employees pay respect to each other and develop a team spirit. They also take accountability of their action and learn new things to enhance their professionalism. Thus, it can be said that having a diverse workforce lessens unethical behavior of employees.