Assess the Differences between Visible and Non-Visible Diversity Dimensions a Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Understand generally the meaning of diversity in a workplace
- Understand the differences between Visible and Non-Visible Diversity Dimensions in an organization
- Learn how to apply both the visible and non-visible diversity dimensions in an organization
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Diversity is a term that encompasses the variety of human experiences and identities that shape our society. Diversity can refer to various aspects of identity, such as gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, and more. Diversity is important because it enriches our perspectives, fosters creativity, and promotes inclusion and equity in society.
This essay is going to assess the differences between visible and non-visible dimensions of diversity. Questions attempted are; what are the visible and non-visible dimensions of diversity? What is the difference between visible and invisible diversity?
Diversity can be categorized into two broad dimensions: visible and non-visible. Visible diversity refers to the aspects of a person's identity that are easily observable, such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical ability, and appearance. Non-visible diversity refers to the aspects of a person's identity that are less apparent or hidden, such as sexual orientation, religion, culture, education, socio-economic status, and personality.
Mutually visible and non-visible diversity dimensions have implications for how individuals interact with each other in various settings, such as the workplace, education, health care, and social services. Understanding the differences between these two dimensions can help us to appreciate the richness and complexity of human diversity, as well as to identify and address the challenges and opportunities that arise from it.
The major difference between visible and non-visible diversity dimensions is the degree of awareness and recognition that they receive from others. Visible diversity dimensions are more likely to be noticed and acknowledged by others, which can have both positive and negative effects. Whereas, visible diversity can foster a sense of belonging and identity among people who share similar characteristics, as well as increase the representation and visibility of marginalized groups in society. On the other hand, visible diversity can also expose individuals to stereotypes, discrimination, prejudice, and harassment based on their appearance or perceived group membership.
Non-visible diversity dimensions are less likely to be detected and recognized by others, which can also have advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, non-visible diversity can protect individuals from being judged or treated differently based on their identity, as well as allow them to choose when and how to disclose their personal information. On the other hand, non-visible diversity can also create a sense of isolation and invisibility among people who feel that their identity is not valued or understood by others, as well as limit their access to resources and support that are tailored to their specific needs.
Another difference between visible and non-visible diversity dimensions is the degree of stability and changeability that they exhibit over time. Visible diversity dimensions are more likely to be fixed and constant throughout a person's life, such as their race or gender. Non-visible diversity dimensions are more likely to be fluid and dynamic over time, such as religion or education. This means that individuals can experience changes in their non-visible diversity dimensions as they go through different life stages, events, or contexts.
Both stability and changeability of diversity dimensions have implications for how individuals cope with and adapt to their environment. The stability of diversity dimensions can provide a sense of continuity and consistency in one's identity, as well as facilitate the development of long-term relationships and networks based on shared characteristics. The changeability of diversity dimensions can provide a sense of flexibility and growth in one's identity, as well as enable the exploration of new perspectives and experiences based on diverse characteristics