Managing workforce diversity in Pakistan

Alkinza Mansoor WORKFORCE diversity is the similarities and differences in the employees of an organisation. 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 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. Minorities and women are emerging in workplace because the have realised that it is the only way for them to prove themselves and get their rights. Another reason for women taking part in workforce in Pakistan and all over the world is the increasing inflation and worsening economic conditions. This has reshaped workforce which falsify the practices that were the part of workforce before when the traditional ways of work were followed and workforce was not diversified. 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. They have different goals, values, needs and experiences which create conflict of interest in workplace. Due to globalisation, multi-generation and increased number of minorities, multi-culturism can be observed in workforce. Different cultures prevail in Pakistan because it has five provinces which diversify the work force and it become more diverse when foreign people join the workforce. Culture has impact humans behavior. If different people from different cultures join the workforce, they will have different values and behavior. In such situations, there is a need of human resource manager who can handle diversity. Multi-culturism reflects different values, ethics and behavior among workforce. All these factors lead to diversity in workforce all over the world as well as in Pakistan. The major focus for managers today is to manage the diversification of workforce and safe the interest of everyone without discrimination. According to the work of a researcher four key dimensions of Muhammad Ali Jinnahs vision can help Pakistani organisation to manage the diversity. First, democrisation 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 favoritism 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. Diversity can also be managed by practicing collectivism, by setting good organisational culture.

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