Required information

Supervising a Diverse Workforce

In this exercise, read a short case, then answer questions concerning the case and the effective supervision of a diverse workforce.

Today the U.S. workforce is becoming increasingly diverse. In 1980, just over half (51%) of the workforce consisted of white men.By 2020, this group's share of the workforce is expected to fall to 42.8 percent.There are increasing numbers of black, Hispanic, and Asian workers. Women now make up almost half of the adult labor pool.In addition, the number of workers over 55 is expected to represent more than 25.2 percent of the U.S. population by 2020.Many of these older individuals are working beyond the traditional retirement age.

Review the material in the textbook concerning the opportunities and challenges of supervising a diverse workforce and the dangers of subtle discrimination.

Hispanicsimmigrants and descendants of immigrants from Latin Americahave become the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. More than 1 in 10 U.S. workers are Hispanic and their share of the workforce is expected to grow. The majority of Hispanics trace their roots to Mexico, almost one-tenth have a Puerto Rican heritage, and Cubans are the third largest group.

Supervisors may benefit from recognizing some cultural norms that are common among Hispanic workers. One is a tendency to stress personal relationships. Hispanic workers may rely heavily on personal contacts to locate a new job and may respond well to goals and rewards set for the whole group. They generally appreciate face-to-face instruction and hands-on training to learn new skills.Hispanic workers may talk with one another while working more than workers from some other cultures. However, the supervisor may discover that Hispanic workers do not talk much to the supervisor. This is a reflecion of the Hispanic community's respect for authority. Out of respect for the supervisor's authority, many Hispanic employees do exactly as directed, no more and no less. If the supervisor is hoping employees will offer suggestions and try new ways of working, the supervisor may have to ask specifically for such behavior. Of course, describing expectations clearly is a helpful skill for supervisors to use with employees of any cultural background.

Jenna supervises eight Hispanic workers and expects them all to behave in the same manner; after all, she thinks, "they all identify themselves as Hispanic. That means they are all the same, right?"Choose the following statement that best relates to Jenna's views.

Multiple Choice

A) Jenna is incorrect in her views of their behavior.

B) Jenna is likely to discriminate against Hispanics.

C) Jenna is most likely a highly skilled supervisor with strong knowledge of managing a diverse workforce.

D) Jenna is most likely managing a company in the American Midwest.

E) Jenna is correct. All Hispanics demonstrate the same behaviors.