Name: Tam Pham Minh Nguyen (Cole Nguyen) Student ID: 01378435 MGT 650 Instructor: Patricia Hess

BA, MS, MBA

Assignment 1: DIVERSITY
1. How does the Xerox approach to Diversity meet best practice as discussion in chapter 4 of the text? Be specific. The Xerox approach to diversity has a range of practices that ultimately focus on creating a working environment in which everybody is equal and treated with respect. Xerox has made it its crucial key to success and to gain business advantage, rather than just to make the employees comfortable in the workplace. Based on Ann Morrisons study on diversity practices, there are 3 different main types of practices: accountability, development and recruitment. Xerox has demonstrated a quite thorough approach in its diversity managing strategies, which include all 3 of the practices. First of all, as shown in the proportions of various groups in its workforce, it is easy to see that Xerox makes sure the career opportunities and community inclusion are equally divided to every employee in the company, with executive commitment. By doing this, not only has Xerox sent a loud and clear message that this company fosters diversity and respects differences, but it also makes sure that no talented and qualified employee is overlooked due to stereotypes or prejudice. Xerox especially focuses on the development practices, as it is very particular in its diversity agenda, including communications, training and strategy development. All of which aim to educate and ensure that each and every one in the company, no matter what levels they are in, understand and work towards the company ultimate goal: diversity. 2. Choose one caucus group at Xerox and summarize why this group exists in the corporation. What does it intend to accomplish? As we may know, people with sexual orientations other than heterosexual have been, and still are, discriminated against in many places all over the world. Like any other community that is prejudiced upon, the LGBT community needs an organization to protect their rights and make sure they are treated fairly. GALAXe Pride at Work is one of the six caucus groups of Xerox. This group acts as the stimulus for the employees who support or belong to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. The mission of GALAXe Pride at Work is

to provide the support needed to its members, to entitle its members to their legitimate rights and equality in the company and to be a bridge between its members and the company, as well as other organizations. GALAXe Pride at Work strives to approach the needs and concerns of its members, make sure Xerox diversity policies are implemented on the LGBT employees, and also offer trainings or aids in different ways to the LGBT community beyond the workplace. 3. What are the advantages to the corporation and employees of these diversity groups? What are the disadvantages? It is not hard to realize the many advantages that Xerox and its diverse groups of employees have. First of all, nobody wants to work in a place where they may be discriminated against, just because they are different than others. With a equality and diversity fostering environment for people to work in, Xerox is guaranteed to have great support from the society, and it also have better chance to attract to its workforce a lot of talents, who could be assets to the company but happen to be prejudiced against. Secondly, employees in Xerox can rest assured that they are in a workplace that everybody is equal and respects each other. They can focus on their jobs a hundred and ten percent, instead of having to worry about their insecurities being picked on; and hence, the work results will reflect truly what they are capable of. Moreover, by working in a friendly environment with colleagues from different places and different backgrounds, the employees may also learn from each other a lot of things, and can come out of the work place with interesting information that they never had the chance to know, and knowledge that may become handy later in their lives. On the other hand, there are also risks that needed to be taken into account. To begin with, Xerox has to take its recruitment procedure very seriously, in order to select the right people to work for the company. For example, Xerox does not want to have a racist person but acts not discriminative in order to be hired, because the salary is high. Second, there is a fine line between respecting other backgrounds and favoring the less fortunate people. For instance, Xerox could not just hire a woman over a man more adequate, just because its policies protect woman and it does not want people to think it is being discriminated. After all, businesses need to focus on their productivity and profits in order to survive. 4. Do you agree with the Xerox approach to Diversity? Why or why not.

In my opinion, I agree with the Xerox approach to diversity. Xerox has created a place that a lot of people dream to work in, which makes it almost sure that the company receives a huge amount of support from the society, for taking people for who they can do and respecting their backgrounds. Xerox will have a chance to have many talented employees working for the company, and be happy with their jobs. With its unique policies and policies, Xerox has differentiated itself from the competitors and will hold the position of the innovator in the market, which generates many benefits in the long run. Although there are still several risks, especially in the recruitment process, that Xerox needs to take, it can reduce them with careful trainings for the employees as well as the executives.