Workforce diversity

Workforce has diversified work place all over the world as well as in Pakistan due to globalisation, emerging minorities, multi-generation and multi-culturism. Managing workforce diversity is to handle the diversified workforce. Due to diversified workforce the differences like age, culture, disabilities, race, religion, and gender has emerged in the organisations of Pakistan.

Due to globalisation, people from different countries and cities with different culture, race and religion combine and work together which creates differences among employees in terms of thinking, norms, values and religion. This has reshaped workforce. Multi-generations also leads to workforce diversity. Now elderly people are willing to do work even after retirement age due to increasing inflation and economic problems of Pakistan.

One another reason for willingness of elders to do work even after retirement age is to maintain their standard of living, and to remain busy. This creates a blend of young and old people in workplace. Different cultures prevail in Pakistan because it has five provinces which diversify the workforce and it becomes more diverse when foreign people join the workforce.

The major focus for managers today is to manage the diversification of workforce and protect the interests of everyone without discrimination. According to the work of a researcher four key dimensions of Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision can help Pakistani organisations manage the diversity. First, democratisation ensuring the participation of all groups of people. Second, an egalitarian version of Islam, considered consistent with social justice and equal opportunity. Third, the implementation of strict rule of law with no room for favouritism and discrimination. And fourth, special protective measures for minorities, women and other disadvantaged groups.

The four dimensions are on the whole inclined towards a social case of diversity management.

USMAN ASHRAF

Lahore