Exploring Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Two Real-World Examples

Exploring Cultural Diversity in the Workplace: Two Real-World Examples

In today’s globalized world, cultural diversity has become an increasingly important factor in the workplace. Companies that embrace diversity often outperform their peers in terms of innovation and productivity. However, many organizations still struggle to create an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and encourages collaboration among employees from different backgrounds. In this article, we will explore two real-world examples of how companies are successfully managing cultural diversity in their workplaces.

Example 1: Unilever

Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, has made diversity and inclusion a cornerstone of its corporate culture. The company has established a global Diversity and Inclusion Board, which is responsible for promoting a culture of inclusion across all of its operations. Unilever’s diversity and inclusion efforts focus on three key areas: gender balance, ethnic and cultural diversity, and LGBT+ inclusion.

To promote gender balance, Unilever has set a target of achieving a 50:50 gender balance across its workforce by 2020. The company has also implemented flexible working arrangements to support working parents and has established a global parental leave policy of 16 weeks for primary caregivers, regardless of gender.

To promote ethnic and cultural diversity, Unilever has established a number of employee networks, such as the Asian Network and the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network. These networks provide a platform for employees from different backgrounds to connect and share their experiences. Unilever also encourages its employees to take part in unconscious bias training to help them recognize and overcome their own biases.

To promote LGBT+ inclusion, Unilever has established a global LGBT+ ally program. The program aims to create a supportive environment for LGBT+ employees and their allies by providing resources, training, and networking opportunities.

Example 2: Zappos

Zappos, an online shoe and clothing retailer, has also made diversity and inclusion a priority. The company believes that diversity is essential to its success and has implemented a number of initiatives to create a more inclusive workplace.

One of Zappos’ most innovative diversity initiatives is its “Zapponians Speak” program. The program features employees from different backgrounds sharing their stories and experiences with the rest of the company. The program aims to create a more inclusive workplace by promoting empathy and understanding among employees.

In addition to the “Zapponians Speak” program, Zappos has also established an employee resource group (ERG) for military veterans. The ERG provides support, resources, and networking opportunities for employees who have served in the military. Zappos also partners with a number of organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), to promote diversity in the community.

Conclusion

Cultural diversity is a key driver of innovation and productivity in today’s workplace. Companies that embrace diversity and create inclusive workplace cultures often outperform their peers. Unilever and Zappos are just two examples of companies that are successfully managing cultural diversity in their workplaces. By focusing on gender balance, ethnic and cultural diversity, and LGBT+ inclusion, and implementing innovative initiatives, these companies are creating more inclusive and collaborative workplace cultures that value diversity and promote success.

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