Changing Demographic Trends

In chapter one of Business Communication: process and product, the authors discuss how changes in demographic trends affect the workplace.

In Canada, the workforce is becoming more diverse. It is projected that, by 2017, approximately one fifth of the Canadian population will be part of a visible minority group. This trend, along with an aging workforce, is creating the need for changes to communication practices within the workplace. New attitudes and strategies will need to be developed for communicating with workers of diverse ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. The authors argue that the advantage of a more diverse workplace is that employees are better able to respond to a diverse customer base both within Canada and abroad.  Also, customers appreciate their values, beliefs, and backgrounds being reflected in the structures and hiring patterns of organizations.

"CST Chinese and South Asians Would Remain the Largest
Visible Minority Groups," adapted from Statistics Canada publication
Canadian Social Trends, Catalogue 11-008, Winter 2005, no. 79, page 20
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/bsolc/olc-ccl/olc-ccl?lang=eng&catno-11-008-X.

Work environments in Canada are undergoing changes in demographic composition.  As a result, businesses are seeing a need to implement changes in their business communication practices in order to remain competitive and responsive to consumers.

In our opinion, the authors raise several significant points with respect to how the Canadian workforce is changing. However, some of their points should be scrutinized. For example, are workplaces becoming more diverse across the board, or is this diversity concentrated in certain occupations, such as the service sector and temporary, part-time work?  Furthermore, the authors focus primarily on how diversity helps a company make money, rather than improving the organization itself and providing opportunities for minority groups. We also think that increased diversity will require businesses to provide sensitivity training, including anti-harassment and anti-oppression training to minimize discrimination within the workplace.

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Here are some questions for you to think about and discuss:

1.  What are some benefits to a more diverse workforce?

2.  What communication challenges are diverse workplaces going to face?  How can these be addressed?

3.  Are businesses focusing on workplace diversity as a means to further their own agendas?   

Guffey, M.E., Rhodes, K., Rogin, P. (2011). Communicating in today's workplace. In A. Guffey, M.E., Rhodes, K., Rogin, P. (Eds.), Business communication: process and product (6th ed.) (pp. 12).  Toronto: Nelson.