02 Sep Labor Day: A Shift in our Modern Day Workforce

Labor Day celebrates the workforce throughout the nation, which also means celebrating the nation’s increasing multicultural workforce. Companies that embrace a multicultural workforce gain a competitive advantage, tend to do better overall in generating innovative ideas, and providing spectacular customer service in their respective industries.

A Change in the Workforce
It is no surprise that the workforce in the country is drastically different from what it was just 30 years ago. The Department of Labor conducted a study comparing the nation’s workforce in 1986 to 2016:

• The Hispanic workforce in the U.S. has increased from 6.9% in 1986 to 16.7% in 2016
• The Black workforce has gone from 10.7% in 1986 to 11.9% in 2016
• White workforce has been on a decline from 79.8% in 1986 to 67.5% in 2016

Advantages of A Multicultural Workforce
The shift to a more diverse workforce creates many benefits for organizations that embrace the change and take full advantage of it, including:

• Increased Productivity: Employees tend to be more productive in environments where they feel understood and connected with the organization. Having a multicultural workplace plays a big role in accomplishing this since it increases chances for employees to connect with one another through things they have in common.
• Greater Creativity: Having a multicultural workforce is extremely beneficial to inspiring creativity, the use of imagination and original ideas. When people of various backgrounds come together the solution to a problem will likely be more innovative and creative than that of a group that shares a similar background or experiences.
• Greater Set of Skills: Employing from a multicultural pool of employees allows for a wider set of skills and experiences to be brought to your organization such as languages and cultural understandings.
• Better Corporate Image: Having a multicultural workforce in your organization is something to be proud about. It highlights that the organization looks beyond cultural or ethnic differences and will likely attract greater talent.
• Higher Global Impact: With organizations seeking to expand and reach consumers world-wide, it only makes sense to have a multicultural workforce that can give you insights on different cultural markets, making the globalization of your organization easier.

“As marketing professionals, it is necessary to constantly be looking for the next best idea, which is why having a diverse staff rich in cultural backgrounds is imperative and gives us an edge. It allows us to efficiently tailor to our client’s needs and deliver innovative work,” said Pacino Mancillas, VP of Strategic Partnerships for AC&M Group.

The benefits of having a multicultural workforce cannot be overlooked; they are essential for the growth of any organization or brand. Companies that fail to recognize the benefits and potential of a multicultural workforce risk being left behind, losing customers and market share. So, this Labor Day, I encourage you to think about how diverse your workplace is and how you can reap the benefits of a multicultural work environment.