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Month: October 2014

Age Diversity and the Workplace

Age diversity is the ability to accept all different types of ages within a workplace environment. A workplace composed of different age groups creates an environment where each generation brings different skills and talents to the workplaces.  Each employee brings attributes and attitudes that have value to the workplace and each has a role to play in the success of workplaces.

Workplaces are becoming increasingly diverse in age. This increase in age diversity is creating a workplace environment that is rich with experience and maturity as well as youthful exuberance. Workplaces that employ workers in a broader range of age have the advantage of creating a dynamic workplace with a diverse range of skills.  Employers need to develop strategies that will allow age diversity to be an asset to workplaces as each employees’ potential is maximized.

Age diversity is a reality in today’s workplace, and will only increase in the future. Workplaces will be more successful when employers gain an understanding of how to effectively blend the age diversity together to utilize the full potential of each of their employees. Workplaces that encourage age diversity can inspire all of their employees to perform to their highest level of ability. In contrast,  a workplace that is heavily composed only of people in a particular age demographic runs the risk of becoming obsolete.

Every employee can benefit from being exposed to new ideas and thinking. Younger employees will typically have a better understanding of modern technology while older employees will bring more years of experience. So developing a diversity of both younger and older employees could be very beneficial within the workplace.  Interacting regularly with the different generations in the workforce can add different perspectives and an understanding of the various approaches differing generations take in the workplaces and their daily lives.  Employees of all ages can add value to workplaces, and will be important components in the diverse workplace of the future. The age diversity has improved in the modern day workplace, but employers still need to be more aware of the potential beneficial aspects of promoting age diversity in the workplace.

This article was contributed by volunteer blogger Shan Simpson.

Why I am thankful

We are lucky here in Ontario, Canada to have some really nice weather – despite it being almost mid-October. Usually I expect snow by now, but instead it has held off in favour of both unseasonable high weather, and a balmy autumn.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in Canada, and I am more than thankful for a few things.

We are a country of enormous natural beauty and with thousands upon thousands of square kilometres of untouched wilderness. We have pockets of wild places within reach of most urban centres. ~ Elizabeth May

So what is it I am thankful for?

  1. Health and safety standards in Ontario. Things like the right to refuse unsafe work. Health and safety isn’t a priority everywhere, and that is when it is or is not enforced. Some countries don’t even have such legislation.
  2. Minimum wage. Many countries have no such thing, and while I think Ontario’s could be a lot higher, at least we have one.
  3. Television. Because we all need to be able to relax. Our lives, and jobs, are stressful enough.
  4. A diverse culture here in Canada, that makes things more interesting, and more creative.
  5. The changing winds that bring us new technology, new foods, new friends, and certainly new culture.

I hope you and your family had an amazing Thanksgiving, and have a wonderful autumn!

How Safe Are You From Promotional Barriers?

Almost one year ago, Journey to Diversity Workplaces was incorporated to help fill a need in this arena. A place where those on the front lines can seek help, or volunteer. An organization that wants to make a difference, but rather than preach about it, we’re leading by example! 

We want to make a difference in their lives, in our lives, and in your life.

Right now we are researching the correct business to purchase. We are on the cusp of finding one that fits right with what we do.
To get there, however, we need your help. If you would become a member, or donate $50 that will help us to reach out to more people, and to continue to find that right fit. 
It’s easy to become a member. Visit us online! You can also donate online! Our website at www.j2dw.ngo is a community gathering place. With our recently launched blog, Voices of our Nation, where we are hearing from you, and taking your blog submissions! There are several levels of giving. Here is an example of what your gift will achieve:

$25 – will help keep our communications hub going for a month
 
$50 – will help keep our communications hub going for two months

$100 – will help keep our communications hub going for two months, and allow us to reach out to those affected by barriers to internal promotions at their workplaces.

Please help make a difference in our community by contributing to our campaign.

Would you rather become a member, or donate via mail? You can do that too! We are not a charity, so unfortunately there won’t be a tax receipt. However, every dollar you can contribute goes right into our mandate! 

Thank you so very much for your ongoing support, for reading this email, and for your help meeting our goals for 2015! You truly are a kind soul.

It’s go time!
 
Peter V. Tretter
President & CEO
Journey to Diversity Workplaces 

P.S. – We’re already leading by example, with a diverse board of directors with backgrounds such as working in H.R., finance, I.T., healthcare, teaching, and the military!

 

Critical Life Choices and Events Shaping People

Each of us have significant moments, experiences, and events in life that can change our perceptions.

Our perceptions of the world can also change as we age or mature throughout our life. People have various values, beliefs and come from different ethnic backgrounds which contributes to shaping who we are.  Every employee will usually bring specific skills into the workplace and these employees can develop additional skills through training programs that can be an asset to workplaces if employees are willing to effectively manage these skills.  Workplaces will be more successful when the strengths and weaknesses of employees are properly managed so that the workplace can maximum the potential of individual employees.

I grew up in a small town in the United States which helped me to form my perceptions of the world.

Spending a few months per year living in larger cities in the United States as an adult has changed some of the early perceptions that I had developed at a younger age and further shaped who I am as an individual. Being physically disabled has also altered my perceptions and that experience have given me a unique perception of life that may differ from the perceptions that most people typically will have in their life.  As I’ve matured I’ve had experiences that have allowed me gain a much broader perception of the world around me than I could have had when I was younger as well.  For example, my mom died of breast cancer which caused me to be less naive and made me learn to be more self-reliant. Traveling to other countries has also helped me to form different perceptions than I had prior to those experiences and my education also adjusted my perceptions as well.

It is important that employers are aware of the perceptions and skills that each employee can bring to the workplace.  Supervisors and employers need to be aware of their own skills, strengths, and weaknesses as well.  Training and management strategies must be implemented that will allow workplaces to successfully operate more efficiently while also providing an opportunity for each employee to maximize their full potential.  Diverse employee backgrounds should not be seen as a weakness within the workplace, but rather as a strength that can greatly benefit workplaces. Employers should be willing to encourage more diversity in the workplaces so that a wider variety of ideas can be developed that can benefit the workplace.

This article was contributed by volunteer blogger Shan Simpson.