Question

Name at least 4 dimensions of diversity. In other words, what characteristics might be included when considering a diverse workforce?

Answer 1

When we consider a diverse workforce we think:-

1. Primary dimensions

These refer to the most fundamental differences in a diverse workforce and are generally categorized into the demographics of age, race, gender and physical and mental abilities.

2. Secondary dimensions

These refer to the external dimensions of a diverse workforce and are generally categorized into work experience, educational background, marital status, geographical location and personal as well as recreational habits.

3. The organizational dimension of diversity

These are also the external dimensions in the most basic sense but are related to the work that is performed between the diverse individuals, these generally include union affiliations, work field, division/department and even seniority.

4. Melting pot dimensions

These are the dimensions which allow a person to be able to mix with a diverse group of people due to the presence of internal qualities such as communication, friendliness, honesty and difference of opinion from other affiliations.

In order to be able to realize a diverse workforce, we essentially have to keep in mind the four dimensions and carefully select values which will mix together with each other. For example, we can say that from all the dimensions, if we take one single value and check if it matches as a definable melting pot, we can create a functional diverse workforce.

People of different age group but similar work experience/educational qualification can essentially be working in a different field yet be able to work in a group well due to considerable similarities in their traits even after having such diversity.