HFT20103

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
SEMESTER SEPTEMBER
SESSION 2019/2020
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT 1

NAME : CHOW JIA SIN

MATRIC NO : H18A0084
CLASS : L2
NAME OF LECTURER : MADAM AZIMAH BINTI AHMAD
DATE OF SUBMISSION : 4 OCTOBER 2019
ASSIGNMENT ONE

The workforce diversity is one of the emerging trends in organization behaviour.

Example of workforce diversity are age, cultural background, physical abilities and
disabilities, race, religion, gender. Briefly explain FIVE (5) effects of the workforce
diversity on organizational effectiveness.

Workforce diversity means that the composition of an organization is becoming

more diverse in terms of age, cultural background, physical abilities and disabilities,
race, religion, gender. In a company organization, they have the challenge to fit
themselves to a wide variety of people by clarifying different lifestyles, family needs,
and work styles. So, there are some issue that make the effects of the workforce
diversity on organizational effectiveness.

First, problems from ethnic differences still exist in the workplace. There are still
some people who hold prejudices against people who have different racial and
religious backgrounds as themselves. Example, many Malaysians of different ethnic
backgrounds mix with each other during work time, but neither go together for lunch
frequently no get together after work. It seems that there is an economic reason to
work together, but culturally speaking they are separated. Such prejudice and
discrimination should not be tolerated in the workplace. The company's internal
policies should include clear and objective regulations to prevent employees from
showing bias.

Second, difference personality background makes workforce diversity ensure a

variety of perspectives. Because of the diversity in the workplace means that workers
will have different characteristics and backgrounds, they are also more likely to have
a variety of skills and experience. Therefore, the company's employees with a high
degree of diversity in the workplace will have access to different perspectives, which
is very useful for planning and implementing business strategy.

Next, the age make the generation gap in a company organization. Employees from
other generations may struggle to adapt to workplace changes and the work culture
that the younger generation brings. In large companies, there are more diverse age
groups, from teenagers to the elderly. As a result, factions and social circles may form
and some workers may be isolated from the team. It's also possible that sometimes
workers from different generations may disagree on what to do. To maintain
teamwork and collaboration, create an open communication culture within your
organization to help bridge the generational gap.

Furthermore, gender will also effects of the workforce diversity on organizational

effectiveness. Now a day, females are also working in the equal ratio with males.
When working together, men and women should focus on adjusting the traits of other
genders at the same time aware of their own gender orientation. For example, a
woman leading a meeting knows that some men can easily lose focus, so she tries to
express her point of view in a concise manner to avoid deviating from the tangent. So,
in one organizational women and men are important.

Last, language and communication barriers are everywhere in companies with a

diverse workforce. Workers who are not fluent in the main language used in the
workplace may struggle to express their needs or respond to requests from colleagues.
Example, UK companies hire people whose mother tongue or first language is not
English, so employees and managers sometimes struggle to get their information. In
Malaysia, a Chinese women who can’t speak Malay as well that can make a issue
when she want to communicate with other race colleague. This can lead to
miscommunication and loss of productivity.
 In conclusion, the effects of workforce diversity on organizational effectiveness
may have positive and negative. These positive effects enhances the company's
reputation and brand. Companies who are committed to building and promoting
workforce diversity are seen as good, more human and socially responsible
organizations. Workforce diversity also makes the company look more interesting.
Here some suggestion, if you are presenting a workforce diversity in a company, you
will make it easy for many different people to relate to your company and your brand,
opening doors to new markets, customers and business partners. While, the negative
effects make a big challenge that can be a deficit for a company.

Reference

Arjot. (2017). Importance of Workforce diversity.

https://workforcediversityblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/03/importance-of-workforce-d

EthnoConnect. (2017). Advantages in Diversity. Retrieved from EthnoConnect:

http://www.ethnoconnect.com/advantages-of-diversity

Angela Hood. (2019). 7 Biggest Diversity Issues in The Workplace.

https://www.thiswayglobal.com/blog/top-diversity-issues-in-the-workplace/

Lily Cheah. (2013). Why workplace diversity is important for every organisation.

https://mystarjob.com/articles/story.aspx?file=/2013/4/20/mystarjob_careerguide/129
48229&sec=mystarjob_careerguide