Cultural norms and practices are the behaviour patterns and attitudes that arise from our cultures. Differences often arise when an individual has a different set of cultural practices to those followed by the dominant culture.

List some of the characteristics and differences in the people you work with on a daily basis. List them in a table such as the one below.

Keep a copy of this table in your portfolio for future reference. As you move through this unit you may want to add to the table. What is the dominant culture in your workplace? What are the subcultures?

PersonCharacteristicDifference RizaDeeply religiousNeeds to take regular breaks from work to pray

PersonCharacteristicDifference

Part 2

As people communicate, norms and rules evolve around introductions and greetings, respect for position and status, gift giving and building networks. Protocols appropriate to different cultures should be dealt with sensitively.

Consider your own workplace (or one that you have access to). What cultural norms and rules impact on it? What are some of the issues you have to deal with? How sensitive are people in the workplace to the differing expectations of behaviour and communication?

When one person does not show sensitivity to another's preferences regarding communication, the second person may feel some discomfort and be distracted. The message may not be communicated.

What is your own communication style and what are your preferences? What communication styles cause you to feel uncomfortable? Think about your own belief system. Are there any beliefs or fears that you hold that will prove a barrier to communication?

Part 3

Some new positions have been created in Jennifer's unit. Everyone has been encouraged to apply for them. Jennifer has lots of experience and skills and wants to apply for a project manager's position. She has spoken to her line manager, who told her that the job would probably be too demanding, as she has three children and is "too preoccupied with other things right now".

Jennifer believes that if she applied for the job, she would not be successful as that person is on the selection panel. What should Jennifer do? What policies and procedures in your department or agency cover this situation?

Part 4

Choose three people and identify their individual characteristics and the way in which they benefit the organisation. Think about their qualities and their backgrounds. Record them in a table such as the one shown below:

This person is an individual because.This benefits the organisation becauseHe was born in Vietnam and speaks English, French and Vietnamese fluently languages fluently.

He can communicate with some of our clients in their own language.

He understands what it is like to emigrate to another country and can empathise.

He knows a lot about childcare and has good feedback to offer on our policies and processes.

He's an older person and has a lot of life experience that the younger members of staff can learn from.

She has right sided haemoplegia and needs a wheelchair to move around.

She is a member of many womens' groups

She is very assertive

She has a wonderful sense of humour

etc

She has really strong telephone communication skills.

She is very good at handling difficult clients on the phone and we can learn a lot from her.

She would be a good role model for some of our younger women.

etc

For each of them, consider how they are, or might be encouraged to use their skills and knowledge to benefit the organisation.

This person is an individual because.This benefits the organisation because

Part 5

Choose a policy, procedure or program within your workplace that demonstrates your organisation's recognition of diversity as an asset.

Discuss the principles that underpin it.

Describe how you may best support it in your work.

Describe how your team can address the issues it raises.

Part 6

This part requires you to participate in an observed role play within your practice environment. The role play will simulate a diverse workplace and will include participating in a health and safety toolbox meeting (short 10 minute meeting to discuss a specific health and safety issue).

At the completion of the meeting and role play, answer the following:

What measures did you utilize to recognise and respect individual differences in colleagues, clients and customers?

What were the issues based on diversity, such as cultural differences, that had to be addressed?

What communication barriers were encountered?

How were communication barriers resolved?

How did you ensure behaviour is consistent with legislative requirements and enterprise guidelines?

How did you ensure that all meeting participants were equally involved?

How was each participants contribution to the meeting recorded?