1. CULTURALCULTURAL
DIVERSITY IN THEDIVERSITY IN THE
WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

2. Definition of CultureDefinition of Culture
 Culture refers to the cumulative deposit ofCulture refers to the cumulative deposit of
knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudesknowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes
and religion by a group of peopleand religion by a group of people generallygenerally
without thinking aboutwithout thinking about them.them.

3. PhilosophyPhilosophy
 Consider cultural competence a priority. CultureConsider cultural competence a priority. Culture
is dynamic, therefore cultural competence mustis dynamic, therefore cultural competence must
be an on-going process.be an on-going process.
 Cultural competence is the effective use ofCultural competence is the effective use of
social and interpersonal knowledge and skillssocial and interpersonal knowledge and skills
that demonstrates understanding andthat demonstrates understanding and
appreciation of individual and group differencesappreciation of individual and group differences
and similaritiesand similarities..

4. Cultural Diversity in the WorkplaceCultural Diversity in the Workplace
 Cultural diversity in the workplace providesCultural diversity in the workplace provides
strength. It also challenges individuals tostrength. It also challenges individuals to
respond to their diverse work environmentrespond to their diverse work environment
effectively.effectively.
 ““Valuing” individual and group culturalValuing” individual and group cultural
differences is critical to achieving thedifferences is critical to achieving the
organizational goals.organizational goals.

5. Cultural AwarenessCultural Awareness
 Know yourKnow your own cultural background.own cultural background.
 Recognize your own stereotypes and biases.Recognize your own stereotypes and biases.
 Gain knowledge of cultural history and heritage.Gain knowledge of cultural history and heritage.
 Be aware of other’s perceptions.Be aware of other’s perceptions.
 Recognize effects ofRecognize effects of -ism-ism on the others.on the others.

6. Teaching ToleranceTeaching Tolerance
 Tolerance is defined as “recognition of andTolerance is defined as “recognition of and
respect for the opinions, practices orrespect for the opinions, practices or
behavior of others.”behavior of others.”

7. Remember . . .Remember . . .
People longPeople long
to be celebrated,to be celebrated,
not tolerated!not tolerated!

8. Forming a TeamForming a Team
 There are three important characteristics ofThere are three important characteristics of
teams: size, diversity and interdependence.teams: size, diversity and interdependence.
 Teams diverse in skill sets and knowledge levels,Teams diverse in skill sets and knowledge levels,
as well as ethnicity and culture, perform betteras well as ethnicity and culture, perform better
than those with identical skills sets.than those with identical skills sets.
 Diversity actually decreases team conflicts andDiversity actually decreases team conflicts and
enhances creativity.enhances creativity.

9. ARE YOU PART OF THE TEAM?ARE YOU PART OF THE TEAM?

10. ABMHC’s Cultural DiversityABMHC’s Cultural Diversity
Committee SupportsCommittee Supports
SCDMH’s FocusSCDMH’s Focus
To teach employees communication and conflictTo teach employees communication and conflict
resolution techniques to be used in the frameworkresolution techniques to be used in the framework
of working with a culturally diverse populationof working with a culturally diverse population
whose members may solve problems in verywhose members may solve problems in very
different ways.different ways.

11. ABMHC’s Cultural DiversityABMHC’s Cultural Diversity
Committee SupportsCommittee Supports
SCDMH’s MissionSCDMH’s Mission
To support the Recovery mission through theTo support the Recovery mission through the
continual development of a culturally aware,continual development of a culturally aware,
culturally knowledgeable, and culturally skilledculturally knowledgeable, and culturally skilled
workforce.workforce.

12. Cultural Diversity ActivitiesCultural Diversity Activities
 Multicultural Calendars (cultural informationMulticultural Calendars (cultural information
divided by the month, holiday and country)divided by the month, holiday and country)
 ReadingsReadings
 QuizzesQuizzes
 Fact sheetsFact sheets
 Other tools that foster dialogue and questionsOther tools that foster dialogue and questions
within the organizationwithin the organization

13. Why are Activities Important?Why are Activities Important?
 They help clinicians reach clients who mayThey help clinicians reach clients who may
benefit from a more hands-on or practicalbenefit from a more hands-on or practical
learning experience.learning experience.
 They encourage clients to become activelyThey encourage clients to become actively
involved in the therapeutic process without bias,involved in the therapeutic process without bias,
rather than being passive recipients.rather than being passive recipients.

14. HAVE A HAND IN DIVERSITYHAVE A HAND IN DIVERSITY

15. FOUR STEPS TOFOUR STEPS TO
CULTURAL DIVERSITY SUCCESSCULTURAL DIVERSITY SUCCESS

16. I. Leadership DrivenI. Leadership Driven
Create and maintain culturally and
linguistically competent services by
supporting:
 Multiculturalism embedded into all
organizational units.
 Continued efforts to recruit, retain and
develop a culturally diverse workforce.

17. II. Staff OrientedII. Staff Oriented
Support cultural competency of theSupport cultural competency of the
staff. staff.

18. III. Client OrientedIII. Client Oriented
To support and promote theTo support and promote the
involvement of clients, familiesinvolvement of clients, families
and advocacy groups in theand advocacy groups in the
planning and development of care.planning and development of care.

19. IV. Information DrivenIV. Information Driven
To support monitoring and
dissemination of the level of cultural
awareness, knowledge and skills

20. Life Without DiversityLife Without Diversity
Close your eyes and imagine that everyone in
the room is the same. Exactly the same!
Same hair, eye color, height, weight, gender,
race, language. Everyone dresses the same
and sounds the same.
Now open your eyes, look to your left and your
right.
What do you see?

21. ONE MIND, ONE RACEONE MIND, ONE RACE

22. DO YOUR HOMEWORKDO YOUR HOMEWORK
 Learn about other cultures.Learn about other cultures.
 Know respectful behavior.Know respectful behavior.
 Identify a cultural guide.Identify a cultural guide.
 Gain entry into the community.Gain entry into the community.

23. ConclusionConclusion
Learning about and accepting diversity canLearning about and accepting diversity can
improve your interpersonal effectivenessimprove your interpersonal effectiveness
and increase your personal and professionaland increase your personal and professional
opportunities.opportunities.

24. Cultural Diversity inCultural Diversity in
the Workplacethe Workplace
Resource:
http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/multi_culture/home.html
If any additional information regarding this presentation is
needed, please contact Terry Miller or Cynthia Smith.
Thank You For Your Time!
The Cultural Diversity Committee at ABMHC