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Value of Diversity in the Workplace

The opening sentence of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, states as follows: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Over 1 million immigrants come to the U.S. each year in pursuit of the opportunity promised in these words written by Thomas Jefferson 232 years ago. With over 80 million multi-cultural Americans living in the U.S. today, and many more millions coming to the U.S. over the next 40 years (Wilkins, P., n.d.), this country’s workforce is evolving dramatically. So is this a good thing? Many organizations and researchers have evaluated the effects of a diverse workforce and their conclusions suggest that there is a quantifiable value of diversity in the workplace.

Organizations pursue workplace diversity for many different reasons.
Whether an organization is small or large, creating a culture that seeks, embraces, and encourages diversity can be difficult and pose new corporate challenges. Consequently, organizations that choose to pursue workplace diversity do so for different reasons.
Some organizations will adopt diversity programs because they value different points of view, and want to harness the broad spectrum of backgrounds, skill strengths, and unique characteristics offered by a diverse workforce. General Electric is a company that sees diversity in the workplace as an asset and a competitive advantage. "No matter where we work or do business, we want to attract and retain the very best talent," explains Deborah Elam, manager of GE’s global employer of choice initiatives (Worldwide General Electric draws strength from diversity, n.d.).

Others may see a social or public relations advantage in more closely mirroring the communities in...