Diversity in the workplace

[Shoboy]

When I read about it in the paper and most times it's talked about at company meetings, I cant see why it matters. But let me clarify. It's the way it's being presented to me. It's all brought up and talked about in a 'generally speaking' way.

Last week we had one of those ISO 900x type meetings, some ISO 14,00x stuff(environmental regulations), and some other QS900x stuff. All stupid stuff to me since I'm just a millwright. I dont care about what that stuff is, it's all for management to work on. I just fix things and keep things from not being broke :p:

Anyway, workplace diversity was/is being brought up quite often. But it was being used in terms of blacks, whites, asians, arabs, men, women, ect..... Now being a UAW company I cant see why this is even an issue at all. It's all equal other than skilled trades and production. Your age/race/religion/ect does not matter on weither you get a job. It's about passing a written test of common knowledge and then it's all about seniority.

But this keeps getting brought up. Racial Diversity. The only way it matters to me as I can see it, is if I, being a millwright, can do some pipefitting, welding(uh, yes!), equipment operating(again, yes) and other things. Stuff that can help out in the workplace because I can do more than just one classification of jobs. That part about diversity I can understand. But that's not what's being talked about in these meetings, and what I read in the paper sometimes.

I dont see how racial diversity makes things better in any workplace. But that's the general message I am understanding when the topic is brought up. Here's why....

How does being a black man help anyone or anything get done better? How does being a white man help anyone or anyting get done better? How does being a woman................ect........ ?

What am I missing here? I just dont see how racial diversity makes anything better. It's not about what color you are or what sex organs you have. It's about how smart you are and how qualified you are to do a specific job. Having a black woman on my crew does nothing towards getting the job done faster, better, efficiently, ect...... the only thing that matters is if you know what the hell your doing.

I may just be understanding it wrong, but it sure as hell comes across that being diversified in our workforce makes us better, as a company. I think it's total BS and stupid.

Now keep in mind I work in a steelmill. Not some office were appearance may be important or something. And I'm in the trades. There are all kinds of folks in trades. Black men that have over 40 years being a tradesman, longer than I've been alive. Women too. As far as having various ethnicities, yea, we got that in spades. But I just dont see how that makes any difference in actually getting work done, in doing your job, in being qualified.

[Lou Cypher]

It's all about making people feel better about themselfs(upper management), it does'nt solve any problems.

Lou :globe:

[bmn]

I can see both sides of the coin. The diversity laws are in plave to deal with racism in the workplace, and when racists are involved they do. But, with perfectly honest people who merely look for the best qualifications, they are actually racist laws themselves.

Controversial as it sounds, I have always been against that sort of affirmative action, as I see it as just another form of discrimination.

[Terry Penrod]

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I can see both sides of the coin. The diversity laws are in plave to deal with racism in the workplace, and when racists are involved they do. But, with perfectly honest people who merely look for the best qualifications, they are actually racist laws themselves.

Controversial as it sounds, I have always been against that sort of affirmative action, as I see it as just another form of discrimination.



I couldn't agree more BMN.

Affirmative Action and racial quotas anticipate and PRESSUME racism where many times it simply doesn't exist.

The only fair way to assure equal rights under the law is to evenly apply blind justice in all cases. If racial discrimination occurs in a specific case, then we should try that specific case and rectify any wrongdoing accordingly. We should not however presume that racism will occur and create equally unfair laws based on that pressumption. All that does is arbitrarily change the victims of discrimination from one group to another, so equal justice is still lost in the process. This to me is utterly stupid and unfair.

Cheers, Terry

[Phone(6644)]

Alot of the ISO 900x etc are about continual service improvement and recognition for achieving the award. I have been involved in many similar awards, working for the government and in my opinion, alot of the standards look good and prove we are doing our bit but they dont actually improve the service at all.

Its mad where I work theres do much red tape in quality assurance. I reckon I spend so much time cheating/proving that im meeting standards that the actuall quality is worse, but hey im ok!!! :thumbup: