DIVERSITY OF WORKFORCE
At the level of Europe, the workforce is characterised by a high level of diversity. Starting from the formal criteria, such as the legal status of employment workers, although a large part of the European workforce is wage-employed, a variety of legal contracts make the person's or household's situations very different, depending on whether those who make them up are engaged in part-time work, have short-term contracts, or do interim work. These statutes define very different situations in employment, which in turn relate to very different working conditions and, consequently, different relations to culture in general.
The diversity of the workforce in Europe can also be described in other socioeconomic terms, such as the levels of income and wealth, which are highly unequal according to countries and large socioeconomic groups. The latter aspect points to class inequality as a central aspect of diversity.
However, diversity is also simultaneously cultural and demographic. In a sense, the European workforce is a particular refraction of the global workforce, with migrant workers coming from all over the world but very differently represented according to countries and regions. The European workforce has also diversified in terms of age, gender, religious background, and all other sociological factors.
Diversity of workforce in culture refers to the presence of employees from a wide range of cultural backgrounds within a company or organisation. This includes individuals with different ethnicities, races, nationalities, religions, languages, and other cultural attributes. Embracing a culturally diverse workforce involves actively recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees from various cultural backgrounds and creating an inclusive environment that values and respects their perspectives and contributions.
Having a diverse workforce has numerous benefits for organisations, employees, and society as a whole. Cultural diversity means a diversity of skills, languages, and talents, enabling the organisation to tackle various challenges. It also enhances global market understanding. In today's interconnected world, businesses often operate on a global scale, and a diverse workforce can provide a deeper understanding of various markets, customer preferences, and cultural nuances. This, in turn, enables the organisation better to tailor its products and services to different regions.
Organisations that promote a culture of inclusivity and diversity are more attractive to a wide range of potential employees. Top talents often seek out employers that value and celebrate differences. By promoting diversity, organisations can contribute positively to society by creating opportunities for individuals from marginalised or underrepresented groups, which is a way to address social inequalities. (FL)
See also: Social inequalities and cultural policy; Creative class; Gender balance and culture; Digital inequality, digital divide