Immigrant professionals from different ethnic backgrounds adjust in New Zealand in differing ways. Despite cross-cultural similarities, differences also require attention as they affect the perceived degree of adaptation. The analysis reveals differences in the adaptation process, which leads to changes in their understanding, perception, and attitude towards their work. This paper aims to discuss how a more ethnically diverse workforce affects labor relations in New Zealand.
Competence is connected with having skills and achievements, which are critical for adjusting to working in different cultural and geographical groups. Cultural and geographic diversity also increases employee engagement (Taylor et al., 2020). Learning about a different culture from colleagues can be an enriching experience. A company that embraces cultural diversity in the workplace is more progressive and immediately attracts a wider range of candidates for its vacancies.
Another benefit of cultural diversity in the workplace is a positive reputation and a range of skills that a hiring company gains from people with varying backgrounds. A diverse set of skills and experience allows the company to provide better services to customers globally (Brunton & Cook, 2018). Often, employees in such an environment learn new cultural ideas, which reduces their negative perceptions like racism, hatred based on ethnicity, gender biases, and the like.
Thus, recent studies show that increasing cultural diversity in the workplace can lead to increased profits for the organization. The combination of these different points of view leads to the emergence of new ideas and an increase in creativity among teams. When many different minds work together, a wider set of solutions to specific problems can be found as each person brings a distinct way of making decisions. Nonetheless, conflicts are common due to differing values, ethnocentrism, and lack of empathy at the workplace. However, as the exception proves the rule, companies that encourage diversity in the workplace inspire all of their employees to perform at their best, resulting in higher profits.
Reference
Taylor, Y., Everett, A. M., & Edgar, F. (2020). Work values of immigrant professionals: The New Zealand context. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 1-36.
Brunton, M., & Cook, C. (2018). Dis/Integrating cultural difference in practice and communication: A qualitative study of host and migrant Registered Nurse perspectives from New Zealand. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 83, 18-24.