All workers have cultural needs. Currently, our work practices take into account the cultural needs of the dominant culture emerging from Christian traditions - so, for example, we have Easter and Christmas as institutionally recognised holidays. Whether we are Christian or not, we get holidays.
Some workplaces have been male dominated. In the past, one of the reasons why some [male] politicians said that women couldn't be elected to parliament was that they didn't have any toilets for female Members. Women were elected to Parliament in 1943 but there weren't any women's toilets until 1974! This is an example of a work culture and place that does not cater to diversity. Now, they are making provision for breast feeding mothers.
Workers who are not from the dominant culture/s, may have other cultural needs that should be taken into account by their workplace and managers.
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Make sure that the dress code does not disadvantage cultures that require specific clothing to be worn, such as headscarves or turbans.
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Try to reasonably accommodate a staff member's religious practices and beliefs, such as accommodating requests to take time off on special religious days and time out during the work day to pray.
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Think about the customs of other people when organising food or drink as some cultures can or cannot have specific food and drinks.
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Build respectful of relationships and be sensitive to the fact that some cultures have different family and religious obligations to you.
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Be aware of and respect that some cultures use diffferent eye contact, facial expressions, and hand gestures to those you favour.
Learning Portfolio
Complete exercise 4 in your Learning Portfolio.
Website
- The calendar of cultural and religious dates aims to raise awareness of key cultural and religious events and national days
- A picture gallery: traditional dress around the world
- What is Aboriginal cultural knowledge?
- Australian Indigenous cultural heritage
- Working with Aboriginal people and communities - a practice resource
- Cultural diversity in the workplace - a guide for employers working with Indigenous employees
- Communicating positively - a guide to appropriate Aboriginal terminology
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols
- Cultural diversity in the workplace - a guide for employers working with Muslim employees
- Cultural diversity in the workplace - a guide for employers working with Jewish employees
- Online tool to enhance workplace cultural diversity
- Videos that relate to historical forms of racial prejudice and discrimination (US-based)