Image and Attitude:Workplace Diversity

Workplace Diversity: differences among co-workers

On the outside, we may be different, but on the inside, we are all human beings

Diversity comes in many forms and goes far beyond race

We differ in age, gender, economic status, physical makeup, intelligence, religion, and sexual orientation, among other things

One’s understanding or interpretation of reality

Individuals use past experiences to form perceptions about people and situations

What types of people do we associate with?

Why?

What are some of the differences we notice about people right away?

What do you think of this person?

What would be the advantages/disadvantages of having this person join your group?

Stereotyping occurs when we use misinformation to judge everyone who belongs to a specific group.

For example, if we are walking through a park late at night and encounter three senior citizens wearing fur coats and walking with canes, we may not feel as threatened as if we were met by three high school-aged boys wearing leather jackets. Why is this so?

Stereotypes evolve out of fear

STEREOTYPES AND PREJUDICE

Prejudice: a favorable or unfavorable judgment or opinion toward an individual or group based on one’s perception (or understanding) of a group, individual, or situation

◦ Typically, at work, prejudice is a negative attitude or opinion that results in discrimination, harassment or bullying

An ongoing pattern of physical or psychological aggression that is threatening, coercive, relentless, and leaves the victim feeling powerless

Bullying is an abuse or misuse of power

Bullying is not teasing

Bullying is intentional, deliberate, hurtful behavior

Bullying

Physical Emotional Relational Bystander victimization Cyber bullying

The average bullying behavior lasts only 37 The average bullying behavior lasts only 37 seconds and occurs 2-3 times per month.seconds and occurs 2-3 times per month.

Debra Pepler, Ph.D., York University

1. PHYSICAL BULLYING Shoves, pushes, hitting, assault

2. VERBAL BULLYING Can be heard by the person Insults, putdowns, teasing, harassment

3. SOCIAL/RELATIONAL BULLYING Indirect, covert attempts to affect the target’s

reputation or social standing; Telling others not to be friends with the person

Repeated and unwanted actions by an individual or group. Intent is to intimidate, threaten, offend and harass the other

person. Can come from co-workers or supervisors. Takes the form of:

◦ Verbal abuse◦ Offensive verbal and physical behavior

Bullying is Harassment!

Workplace Bullying

HarassmentUnwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in which submission to or rejection of such conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's work or school

VerbalSexually demeaning comments, jokes or insults

Personal attacks, malicious gossiping, Cyber-bullying Name calling, teasing. insults, put-downs

Yelling, shouting, cursing and screaming.

Visual Unwelcome, offensive, or hostile glares or looks

Intimidating hand/body gesturesHaving and/or sending inappropriate screensavers,

wallpaper, text messages or email

PhysicalTouching, hugging, kissing or patting

Brushing against a person’s bodyBlocking a person’s movement or path

Pushing, shoving or bumping into a personThreatening or intimidating acts

No matter what our differences, treat everyone with respect and professionalism Diversity is an asset. Our differences allows us to create, innovate, and compete Try to understand those that are different from

you. Try to learn about others you work with

Summary

Acting against someone based on race, age, gender, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation is workplace discrimination