Workplace Diversity Within The Engineering Profession

Introduction This report will outline workplace diversity within the engineering profession, with a particular focus on female and indigenous participation. This includes an overview on what encompasses workplace diversity, its subsequent impact on business performance and the role of unconscious biases. Finally, recommendations will be outlined regarding policies to foster diverse workplaces. Workplace diversity in engineering †¨ No two engineering firms are alike in their practices, culture or professional team: elements encompassing workplace diversity. Green, et al. (2002) defined workplace diversity as â€Å"acknowledging, understanding, accepting, valuing, and celebrating differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity,†¦show more content†¦Results varied depending on industry and type of diversity (racial, gender, age, etc.). For racial diversity: †¢ Knouse and Dansky (1999) found that performance increased as racial diversity increased to 30% of a work group, before subsequently declining. †¢ Siciliano (1996) found greater social performance when increased quantities of minority groups were board members. Gender diversity: †¢ Tsui O Reilly, 1989 found a negative relationship between diversity and performance. †¢ Knouse and Dansky (1999) found that performance increased as women members increased between 10 and 50% a work group, before declining. Irrespective of literature, diversity is widely accepted to be positive by reducing staff-turn over, and enabling the attraction of higher caliber candidates (Lewis and Cox, 2007). Furthermore, indigenous representation in engineering will allow developmental projects in remote, Aboriginal communities to occur in a more culturally appropriate manner. The most substantial argument for diversity is the ability to improve profitability via full productive capacity (Sharp et al., 2011). For example, Mckinsey Company (2007) found â€Å"companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35 % more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians.† Further empirical evidence from