LEARNING RESOURCES
- Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N., & Rasheed, J. M. (2016). Multicultural social work practice: A competency-based approach to diversity and social justice(2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
- Chapter 12, “Multicultural Organizational Change: Antiracist Practice and Social Justice”
Post your response to the following:
- Explain how your current or past place of work (paid or volunteer) was inclusive or not inclusive of diverse groups.
- Provide two specific examples.
- Provide two ways you can advocate for greater inclusivity at this place of employment.
Respond to one colleague:
- Provide an additional strategy to create safe spaces and encourage diversity within a work agency.
- Describe any challenges to creating these safe spaces and ways to overcome these challenges.
Response1
Explain how your current or past place of work (paid or volunteer) was inclusive or not inclusive of diverse groups.
Inclusion means that people across varying identities are and feel valued, welcomed, respected, included, represented, and heard and that they fully belong, can be authentic, can contribute to the collective, and have a voice. Inclusion requires actively, persistently, and systemically engaging diversity and fostering equity and social justice across all aspects of the institution, including actively identifying and removing systemic and other barriers. At my workplace, everyone is free to be as they want to be. We are free to go by the pronoun we choose to be. A non-judgment zone not only for our clients but for the employees as well. It is said that Inclusion in the workplace creates a sense of belonging among co-workers that can translate to greater productivity, more innovation, and better decision-making. Team performance improves when employees feel more connected. Sue, Rasheed & Rasheed (2016) stated, “Social workers must see the interconnection between the various forms of multicultural social work practice and social justice and human rights issues” (Sue et al, 2016). It is my personal belief that my workplace practices inclusion, we are a good team because of it. However, I would like more celebration and recognition. An example of such recognition and celebration would be to create groups or spaces within an organization that actively promotes cultural diversity. Lastly, commitment to diversity means we understand and accept that everyone is different, that we respect those differences, and that we are open to listening to different points of view and leveraging them to learn from each other. Everyone plays an important role in building an inclusive work environment, but I believe it is those who have upper management roles it is their responsibility to set the tone and lead by example.
Reference
Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N., & Rasheed, J. M. (2016). Multicultural social work practice: A competency-based approach to diversity and social justice (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
RESPONSE2
Explain how your current or past place of work (paid or volunteer) was inclusive or not inclusive of diverse groups.
My place of work places a high emphasis on the welfare of its employees, as well as the individuals who benefit from the services it offers. Moreover, the geographical placement of the facility offers a distinct advantage in delivering culturally appropriate services to a broader clientele. It also facilitates the engagement of social workers in officially endorsed roles and activities, free from apprehension over potential disciplinary measures. According to Sue et al. (2016), the misconceptions and conflicts that can arise in a heterogeneous society are less likely to happen in institutions that show they recognize and appreciate diversity, and this is exactly what my place of work does. It encourages diversity.
Provide two specific examples.
For example, in the workplace where I am employed, there exist culture-specific programs. However, it is important to note that these programs are perceived as valuable assets for all individuals inside the organization and the broader community, rather than being exclusively associated with any certain ethnic group. Another example of how my place of work encourages inclusivity is through conducting cultural competencies training every quarter due to the fact that the company has diverse individuals at all levels.
Provide two ways you can advocate for greater inclusivity at this place of employment.
Despite the presence of diversity in my workplace, it is evident that a significant proportion of employees are of Whites descent. Consequently, I am committed to advocating for the recruitment of individuals from diverse backgrounds in order to foster a more inclusive workforce. Another way for greater inclusivity is by advocating for the selection of staff members who possess expertise in culturally appropriate practices or who get comprehensive training and supervision to enhance their competency in this area.
Reference
Sue, D. W., Rasheed, M. N., & Rasheed, J. M. (2016). Multicultural social work practice: A competency-based approach to diversity and social justice (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
