Diversity, check… Inclusion, huh? Why does D&I Matter in the Workplace

Description

Topic:  Diversity has become such a buzzword that many organizations, HR practitioners, and employees cannot describe it, let alone understand its implications. However, merely understanding diversity and attaining it is not enough. The other piece of the puzzle is inclusion, which is equally valuable and powerful as diversity.

It goes without saying that with society today, our workforce is also becoming rapidly diverse. Organizations often use the phrase “diversity and inclusion” in a clichéd manner to check a box or receive funding. But in order to appreciate and embrace employee differences, it is
imperative for organizations to manage and promote diversity effectively. The Department of Labor is not only committed to a diverse workforce, but it also recognizes that a diverse set of people—with its wide range of experiences, perspectives, and skills—brings better solutions, drives innovation and creativity, and enhances decision making.

This presentation will examine diversity and inclusion in the workplace from a pragmatic standpoint. With the help of statistics, case studies, and exercises, attendees will explore the benefits and relevance of D&I and learn ways to increase diversity and foster inclusion in their organizations. It will approach diversity from the perspective of competence and will provide HR professionals with the knowledge to change employee attitudes and behavior toward diversity.

Discussions within the presentation will focus on how organizational culture can move beyond awareness and apply knowledge to tangible policies and actions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the meaning and implications of workforce diversity
2. Learn the difference between diversity and inclusion
3. Develop strategies to increase meaningful diversity in the workplace
4. Learn ways to truly provide voice and representation to employees
5. Examine how diversity and inclusion can lead to increased morale, productivity, and efficiency among workers
6. Explore diversity from a pragmatic perspective, and how to move toward a more inclusive organizational climate

  Speaker:  Dr. Pratibha Kumar is the Founder of Sungh Consultancy LLC, a diversity and inclusion company in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. metro region. She is an Assistant Professor of Communication at Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland, and her teaching and research interests include interpersonal and intercultural communication, multiculturalism, and gender.

Her training philosophy is to apply relevant theoretical concepts to practical settings of organizations and personnel management in order to help companies achieve their full potential. Dr. Kumar delivers talks and presentations to local SHRM chapters as a way to give back. She also provides trainings, seminars, and coaching to organizations on D&I and communication issues.

Dr. Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of North Dakota, and she has been teaching and doing research for the last 15 years. Her research has focused on cultural differences
among astronauts on the International Space Station, social change and reform in developing countries, immigration issues, Muslims and Islamophobia, etc.

She has written and presented papers at regional, national, and international academic conferences as well as spoken at non-academic, community settings. Her forthcoming chapter titled, “Intersection of Race and Gender: Women of Color Leading Groups” will be published this spring in an edited book, Examining Social Identities and Diversity Issues in Group Therapy: Knocking at the Boundaries. Her terminal degree and academic appointments have given her access to the latest research and information on topics of diversity and inclusion.  She is a current member of the Carroll County SHRM in Maryland.

Sponsor:  CBY Systems


 
Certification: Pending certification credit through HRCI and SHRM.
 

Click Diversity Check to register.

***The deadline for registration is at noon on November 6, 2020.*** 

Please help to keep our costs down.  If you register and circumstances change that prevent you from attending, please send an email to YorkSHRM@yahoo.com by noon on November 6, 2020.  Thank you!

The Zoom meeting link will be sent to those registered on November 6, 2020.