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THE MOSAIC VISION HANDOUT 2 2
Active flexibility
There will be increased flexibility in the diversity-orientated
organisation, not only in terms of working arrangements, but also in
all policies, practices and procedures.
Flexibility will also be present in the way work is carried out. Existing
norms will be challenged. Where possible, the emphasis will be on
the output rather than the number of hours worked. If an employee
wants to work between 4pm and 11pm, and this does not interfere
with colleagues or customers, then those are the hours that that
employee should work.
The diversity-orientated organisation recognises the diverse needs of
employees and responds by providing a flexible approach, an
approach which will enable the potential of all employees to be
maximised. Furthermore, it will demonstrate that their differences
have been accepted by the organisation and they are not expected
to conform to a set of patterns and regulations laid down by the
predominant culture.
Inclusive
This characteristic can be conceived of as the overarching principle
of all actions in a diversity-orientated organisation.
Initiatives advocated by a diversity-orientated approach do not
include those that focus on the skill development of employees
based on their group membership, eg assertiveness training for
women. Rather, a diversity-orientated approach focuses on
facilitating the development of all employees based on their
development needs and not their group membership, ie providing
assertiveness training for all employees that require it, including
men. It means ensuring that policies are inclusive and do not
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A free sample chapter from Managing Diversity by Pearn Kandola. Published by the CIPD.
Copyright © Pearn Kandola 1998, 2006
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