Transcript Diversity Presentation November 2016x

CULTURAL DIVERSITY
IN
THE WORKPLACE
Highlights for today

Types of diversity

Cultural diversity challenges

Islamic beliefs

Cultures among us

Strategies to use to on the job
Dimensions of Diversity
What kinds
of diversity
do you face
in the
workplace?
Geographic
Military
Location
Experience
Education
Work
Gender
Age
Experience
Work/thinking
Style
Sexual
Disability
Socioeconomic
Orientation
status
Family
Ethnic Race
Status
Religion
Heritage
First
Communication
Language
Style
Organizational
Role and Level
THE DIVERSITY CONUNDRUM AT WORK

What is your workplace doing well?

What areas are a struggle?
Definition of culture
Merriam-Webster defines culture as –
1.
The beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular society, group place, or time
2.
A particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.
3.
A way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization
(such as a business)
Hidden challenges of culture
Body language:

Hand shaking may not be comfortable or familiar for some Muslims, particularly
with the opposite gender.

Some cultures view eye contact as disrespectful
Gender:

Respecting female supervisors
Religious:

Agreeing upon reasonable accommodations for faith practice at work
Stumbling blocks
Unknown data:
 Correct birthdates, names, and spelling
Navigating two cultures:
 Maintaining the culture of origin, while assimilating to the American
culture
English language usage:
 Idioms – A slap on the wrist; against the clock

Metaphors – The boss was boiling mad; the project was about to take
flight

Similes – As clear as a bell; as dead as a doornail
Resettlement process:

Flee country of origin

Refugee camp placement

UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Screening & paperwork

Resettled to another country through a resettlement agency

Intense 30 day “boot camp” introduction to the country/community
What is Islam?
Merriam-Webster defines Islam as: “The religious faith of Muslims including belief in
Allah as the sole deity and in Muhammad as his prophet.”

Approximately 75 different ethnicities and nationalities with various
interpretations of Islam

Allah – the name used for God in Islam

Muslims – The people who practice Islam

Qur’an/Koran – The holy book of Islam – it contains the sacred writings revealed
to Muhammad by Allah

6 Articles of faith

5 Pillars of the faith

2 Sects are the Sunni (Sunnites) and the Shi’a (Shi’ites)
FAITH TERMS:

CHRISTIANITY
ISLAM
Faith: Christianity
Islam
People: Christian
Muslim
Holy Book: Bible
Koran/Qur’an
Six Articles of the Muslim Faith
Belief in:
1. Oneness of Allah (God)
2. Angels – now and in the afterlife
3. Holy Books – Qur’an, Torah, Bible
4. Allah’s messages – sent through prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Jesus, John the Baptist, Muhammad, etc.
5. Judgment Day and the afterlife – each person is accountable for their actions
during life
6. Allah’s Decree – all things happen by the will of Allah
MUSLIM PREFERENCES:

Diet – Halal meat (animal was slaughtered by a Muslim) may
be preferred, no pork, lard, or alcohol

Ramadan – a time of prayer, reflection, fasting from food and
drink, refraining from smoking, and abstaining from sexual
relations during daylight hours. This is a 40 day event.

Prayers are directed East and typically occur on a prayer
mat. Muslims are to wash their hands, face and feet before
prayers.

Hygiene - Many prefer to wash after using the toilet, like the
bidet used in European countries. This may be done with
water bottles here.
Keep your hands to yourself!
Do you know what you are really saying to your employee when you use
these gestures?
Somali Refugee Experience 
This 2009 photo shows a camp planned for 90,000 but sheltering more than three
times that amount at the Dedaab camp on the border of Somalia and Kenya
Somali culture
1. Religion – Islam
2. Values – independence, democracy,
generosity; may not express their appreciation
verbally
3. Communication style – open & honest;
belong to clans and sub-clans; speak Somali
or Arabic
4. Family life – nuclear family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other
relatives. The children takes their father’s last name, the wife keeps her father’s last
name. Marriages have been traditionally arranged.
5. Health concerns – women were vulnerable of rape in their country; newborn
babies are to stay home with the mother for the first 40 days, male and female
circumcision practices, feelings of depression or despair as many witnessed loved
ones being killed
Somali culture
6. Education – refugees often have little education, a priority is given to
males
7. Clothing – women do not always wear the hijab
8. Diet – halal meat, no pork, no lard
9. Potential challenges – electricity, flush toilets, telephones, and basic
appliances may be a new concept; there may be conflict between
differing Somali groups
10. Something to remember – they are known to easily adjust to any
situation; treat them fairly and respectfully to establish their trust. They
are quick to help those in need.
Sudanese camp (taken January 2014)
and Lost Boys of Sudan
Sudanese culture
1. Religion – Islam
2. Values – freely provide assistance
to family and neighbors
3. Communication style – speak Arabic
along with up to one of 8 others
4. Family life – polygamy is common in
Darfur; children born out of wedlock may be raised by a male relative
5. Health concerns – poor nutrition and access to healthcare in their
country, physical deformities, genetic disorders, polio, war injuries, and
trauma from rape and physical attack. Most have had malaria.
Sudanese culture
6. Education – highly motivated learners; limited access to formal
education with class sizes averaging 87 students; males were prioritized
7. Clothing – men often dress very well, women dress conservatively
but in bright colors
8. Diet – grains and vegetables, no pork or alcohol
9. Potential challenges – few lived with running water or electricity,
banking, money, or have driven a car
10. Something to remember – children were sometimes beaten in
school if they did not speak Arabic
Liberian refugee story

Emmanuel Tweh, co-founder of MOWCF. I am originally from Grand Gedeh, a country in the southeastern part of
Liberia. I am a first-hand witness and survivor of the 14 year war that left my country Liberia in ruins.

When war broke out in Liberia, my family escaped to a country named Ivory Coast on the west side of Africa. We
lived there from 1990 – 1995, until the Liberian war reached Ivory Coast. It’s there I got separated from my family
and was taken to a refugee camp in Ghana by my uncle. To this day, I do not know where my parents are or if they
are even alive.

In 2000, my uncle who took care of after being separated from my parents died of Cholera and Malaria, and I was
left all alone at the refugee camp. Life was unbearable without a family or a job. I felt like I was facing the whole
world alone. In order to survive, I had to wash people’s clothes or carry people’s groceries at the market. The small
amount of money I did make was hardly enough to provide for my daily meals, which consisted mostly of bread.
Getting safe drinking water was a struggle. My waking thoughts were those of survival. I would start my day
wondering if I would get a meal and end my day hoping for a safe place to sleep.

It never felt safe in the refugee camps because security was something that was never assured. Armed robbers
were always attacking the camp and the Ghana government continually raided the camp. Health needs were
rarely met because people had to pay for them out of pocket. Many people died from Malaria and Cholera
because they could not afford health treatment. Despite this hardship I faced, I never lost hope because I knew
that my Father in Heaven was watching over me.
Liberian culture
Liberian culture
1. Religion – Christianity, Islam, animism,
ancestral worship, witchcraft
2. Values – hospitality, politeness, respect
particularly for the elders, peace, long life
3. Communication style – shaking hands,
women may embrace one another
4. Family life – many were separated during the
War and are presumed dead
5. Health concerns – limited health/dental care
and poor nutrition, many witnessed loved ones being tortured, gang raped, and killed
Liberian culture
6. Education – varies greatly with lower literacy levels
7. Clothing – varies from modern day clothing to colorful tops/skirts for
women
8. Diet – rice is a staple, along with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables,
and grains
9. Potential challenges – 18 cultures and 23 languages exist in Liberia;
English is the official language of the government
10. Something to remember – Many have had to flee to more than one
country to seek refuge; each country has a different attitude and set
of laws for refugees
Afghan refugee experience
Afghan culture
1. Religion – primarily Muslim
2. Values – tough and resilient
3. Communication style – generations
of people struggling for power
4. Family life – very private large
extended families, polygamy is
practiced in Afghanistan, family
obligations are often a priority above
all else (including work)
5. Health concerns – stress disorders/high blood pressure, PTSD, land mine injuries
Afghan culture
6. Education – highly varied
7. Clothing – modest to conservative
8. Diet – traditional Muslim diet
9. Potential challenges – many WAR (women at risk) who have
suffered human rights abuses and may not have family in the U.S. to
assist in the resettlement process
10. Something to remember – Osama Bin Laden came to assist
Afghanistan during the jihad (religious war); the Taliban imposed
extreme interpretations of the Islamic law with severe restrictions on
women’s activities
Bhutanese/Nepali refugee
experience

Phone charging bank – individuals pay to have their cell phone charged

The wind carried the flames from hut to hut. The fire became uncontrollable. In ninety
minutes 512 huts were reduced to ashes, according to the Jesuit Refugee Center
Field director for Nepal, Jesuit Father Paramasivam Amalraj.
Bhutanese/Nepali culture
1. Religion – Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian
2. Values – pride, high expectations
for themselves and their families
3. Communication style – speak
Nepali or English
4. Family life – patriarchal;
extended family is part of the
household
5. Health concerns – anxiety, PTSD,
Depression, higher suicide risk
Bhutanese/Nepali culture
6. Education – education is very important to them; academic
performance has dropped; there is a shortage of qualified teachers
7. Clothing – colorful ethnic dress, traditional street clothes
8. Diet – white rice, vegetables, meat-(Hindus do not eat beef, as
cows are viewed as sacred)
9. Potential challenges – Refugees may have lived in camps for
decades and resettlement may very difficult as families are separated
and all the comforts they have known are gone
10. Something to remember – Refugees from Nepal have one of the
highest rates of acceptance from resettlement countries.
Iraqi / Iraqi – Kurdish
culture
Iraqi / Iraqi-Kurdish culture
1. Religion – typically a more traditional Islam
2. Values – parents often struggle with socialization and dating for their
children; marriages are often arranged
3. Communication style – Arabic, Kurdish; a more formal style is
preferred
4. Family life – typically consists of husband, wife, children with the
influence of the extended family; family is a private topic and a Kurdish
male may not be comfortable discussing his family
5. Health concerns – headaches, depression, PTSD, low vaccination
rate
Iraqi / Iraqi-Kurdish culture
6. Education – education is valued but opportunities may have been
limited by location
7. Clothing – bright clothing with mixed patterns and colors
8. Diet – vegetables and grains, homemade yogurt, tea
9. Potential challenges – potential worry of laws, regulations, and
authority because of their history; there may be inconsistencies in the
spelling of their names
10. Something to remember – Explain the system to provide a better
understanding
Hmong refugee camps
Hmong culture
1. Religion – Christian, animism, and ancestral worship
2. Values – place the interest of the group, family, or
clan over their own interests
3. Communication style – speak dialects of Hmong
4. Family life – a village may be located on the side of
a mountain and consist of 20-40 households
5. Health concerns – limited healthcare access, major
depression, anxiety, and PTSD
Hmong culture
6. Education – limited opportunities, but motivated to learn
7. Clothing – colorful ethnic clothing
8. Diet – white rice, vegetables, fish, meat
9. Potential challenges – competition and rewarding individual success
in the workplace opposes the Hmong values
10. Something to remember – There are alternative healing practices:
herbal medicine, spiritual healing, and acupuncture/acupressure
HIRING PROCESS:
BE PROACTIVE

1. PPE required for the position.

2. Break time expectations (flexibility, duration, frequency)

3. Prayer practice.

4. Diversity in the workplace.
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

1. Clear and concise explanations.

2. Keep the readability level to a minimum.

3. Use visuals where appropriate.
This helps…

Instill a climate of respect among all staff

Invest in your employees

Communicate openly

Depersonalize conflict – focus on the behavior, not the individual

Focus on the physical and socio-emotional well being of your
employees by having safety signage, community resources
(FirstLink), and EAP resources when possible
RESOURCES:
Center for Applied Linguistics (cal.org)
Cultural Orientation Resource Center (culturalorientation.net)
Religion Facts (religionfacts.org)
Lutheran Social Services (lss.org)
Google images
*Avoid Wikipedia
QUESTIONS?