Extra Credit Assignment: Evaluating Organizations
While it is not possible for students to engage in an organizational diversity and inclusion audit as one should occur in the workplace, this assignment brings us somewhat close in that the activities involve information gathering.
After gathering information students are required to consider course content (specifically but not exclusively material in weeks 9 and 10) and offer informed opinions.
Students may choose any organizations of interest. When we consider “equity and inclusion in organizations” we shouldn’t omit consideration of nonprofits and government agencies or medium and smaller businesses.
In relation to this exercise, however, you will find more information on larger corporation websites. You’ll find that larger organizations will have a more robust set of D & I programs.
To assist in making the selection process easier, offered a listing of awards or targeted excellence according to dimension of diversity as well as overall excellence.
There is no requirement to use this list to decide on the organizations you’ll choose for activity #1 or the one organization you’ll investigate at length.
Before you begin your investigation, you should know what you’re looking for.
The content covered week 9 as well as work on your course project will assist you as you ask yourself what are:
the hallmarks of an inclusive corporate culture?
the policies we’re looking for?
In addition:
How do inclusive cultures develop?
How deeply committed is top leadership?
In relation to the material we cover week 10, ask yourself:
“Would a particular workplace program challenge or dismiss the dominate culture (white men?”) Will members of the dominate culture feel safe in their identities?
Is the organization offering a high amount of positive rhetoric that reality doesn’t confirm? (Communication Models of Diversity, Chapter 12, Jonson K.)
It is imperative that students move past all of the well-designed web material created by multi-billion dollar companies students may come across.
Don’t be too impressed until you engage in the second portion of the assignment – investigating what others are sharing about the company!
