Reading the prescribed chapters 4 and 7 in Diversity in the Workplace, I hemmed and hawed what workplace to target filled with heated debates aligned with their side, the other side and the truth. I will also provide my insights and observations onsite at a federal agency located in the Hudson County region recently. We have grown and continue to grow in technology, science, and math like the speed of light, however, when it comes to us on personal and interpersonal relations, I feel that we are little better than our ancestors nineteen generations ago.
Propelled by the civil rights movement of the 1960s and to counteract a national policy of segregation and inequality, the Department of Defense (DoD) mandated race relations training in 1971. The violent and nonviolent disorders of the late 1960s were the catalyst that convinced military leaders that race relations education must be provided to every member of the Armed Forces.
The United States Army is a gigantic institute with an international presence. One of its fundamental sources of power is the diversity of its personnel, which includes 1.6 million workforce across the active, reserve, civilian, and contractor parts. While the Army was at the vanguard of ethnic incorporation in the 1950s and at present is one of the most assorted institutes in the U.S., further advancement must be made on the diversity front. The term "diversity" can be classified along countless aspects; this paper concentrates on racial diversity since the exceptional and traditionally important role that race has in matters of diversity in the Army. Internal communications concerning delegate leadership throughout the force, the Army sketches power from its cultural and racial diversity.
The target of this paper is to explore the strategic diversity plan of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ' (VA) with an end goal of supporting its efficacy. Accordingly, this paper organizes this exploration into three correlating sections, the first of which presents an overview of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) within the VA. In addition, this area summarizes the VA diversity plan, created by the ODI. Next, the second exploration section outlines specific focus areas as defined in the Standard University Publication Best Practices for Managing Organizational Diversity (2007). The third and final segment offers a concluding synopsis of this analysis and proposes remedies for the gaps. In conjunction, this paper includes appendices which serve as informative supplements with relevant exhibits of the documents used in this research. First, appendix “A” contains the Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan FY 2012 – 2016, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Quarterly Progress and Accomplishment Report Template – FY 2012, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report – FY 2014, and the VA Strategic Plan FY 2014 – 2020. Second, appendix “B” includes the mission, vision, values and goals of the ODI, as well as an illustration of their organizational chart. Third, appendix “C” provides the Pew Research Center graphical data on the United States population. Fourth, appendix “D” consists of the veteran population graphical data from the National Center for Veterans
Diversity is a big concept these days in the United States Military especially the Army. Whether it is in the career field, or outside the career, they are using fewer personnel to complete the same mission, daily duties and even the same combat roles. According to dictionary.com immaterial is defined as not pertinent, not relevant, or of no essential consequence (Dictionary.com, 2015). An immaterial officer is one who works out of their specified field and would be a perfect fit for this type of today’s diverse Officer. The Army’s forecast for its future consists of the Troop drawdown, slowing the promotion rate and percentage of personnel selected. This also includes the use of higher standards
11). While there is no collusion within the organization to actively exclude individuals, the constraints of widely spaced flights and completely different functionalities seem engineered to create a barrier to diversity. A barrier analysis of this hardship in getting people to all come together for diversity training and events revealed that this was based on a difficulty in aligning schedules and an agreeable location. In turn, this was a result of the 8 different locations the unit occupies around base that are separated by an average of 3 miles. The reason for this separation was determined to be the variety of jobs that are held by personnel within the organization and their need to collocate near other units to enable mission success for the unit they support. Finally, the reason that so many Defenders are holding so many different jobs is the wide support mission of the unit with many intricate components. Thus, the root cause of the barrier to diversity is the complexity of the organization and structure of the unit (BCEE, 2014b, p.
The dictionary definitions for the term “Diversity” are fairly similar in nature. The American Heritage Dictionary describes the following “The fact or quality of being diverse; difference” and also “A point or respect in which things differ…variety or multiformity”. Merriam-Webster describes the definition as “…Being composed of differing elements” and goes on to
Army leaders must balance the link between the Army’s culture and it’s climate and institutional practices. When there is a proper balance it has a huge impact on the mindset of the Army’s Soldiers. Their actions or inactions impacts the five key attributes of the profession, and the four fields of expertise, and have long term effects on the Army’s culture and climate. These actions influence Soldiers’ perceptions that they are serving professional who have answered the call of service to the republic, it is important that Soldiers understand that their role is a calling and not just a job.
1. What changes are occurring in our workforce today and are likely to continue into the future?
All elements in this domain scored a five. The VHA focuses on diversity and disparities among Veterans. The comprehensive electronic health record captures demographic information, such as race, ethnicity, language on the initial visit to the facility. This information can then be viewed in the first pane of the patient chart. Although English is the primary language, an interpreter can be made available if necessary. Those patients who are hearing impaired are provided with an interpreter fluent in sign language. Multiple programs are available to Veterans who are underserved. A series of questions are reviewed with the patient annually, with the goal of identifying the Veteran’s needs. These questions focus on routine health care, as well
Every organization that aspires to be successful must address the value of emotional intelligence in the work place. How people relate to each other determines if the organization eventually moves from
Diversity refers to an array of differences among individuals, groups, and communities (Pearson, p.1629, 2015).
Emotional intelligence is an important characteristic in becoming a good leader. “Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage oneself and one's relationships in mature and constructive ways” (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2009, p.137).Being a good leader entails more than just being smart; leaders need to be able to connect to their employees emotionally and empathetically. Organizations today not only look for leaders with the skills, but leaders that can emotionally connect to employees to obtain the organization’s goal. “Leaders have always played a primordial emotional role. No doubt humankind’s original leaders-whether tribal chieftains or shamanesses-earned their place in large part because their leadership was
Diversity is what makes people different, not just culturally but in human differences. Having a multitude of differences in the workforce gives an organization the ability to use many ideas to reach a common goal. A person could say that a diverse group of people together in one room can accomplish greater achievements than a room filled with the same types of individuals. Managers understand the concept of diversity, and how important diversity is to the success of a company’s ability to implement programs that continue to develop a harmonious and diverse workplace. The recognition that diversity is a reality in the workforce has generated an enormous amount of activity over the years among leaders in business, government, and civil