Based on the standard diversity definition, the types of diversity in a social context are theoretically infinite: they encompass every characteristic that appears with variations among a group of people (such as hair or eye color). But usually, when it comes to workplaces, there are seven types of diversity we pay attention to.
Contents
- List of the Different Types of Diversity
- Protected by law
- Additional types of diversity
- Why is diversity important?
Here’s a list of the different types of diversity in the workplace:
- Cultural diversity
- Racial diversity
- Religious diversity
- Age diversity
- Sex / Gender diversity
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
Here’s a breakdown of these forms of diversity:
Cultural diversity
This type of diversity is related to each person’s ethnicity and it’s usually the set of norms we get from the society we were raised in or our family’s values. Having different cultures in the workplace is more common in multinational companies.
Race diversity
Race has to do with a person’s grouping based on physical traits (despite the dominant scientific view that race is a social construct and not biologically defined). Examples of races are Caucasian, African, Latino and Asian.
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Religious diversity
This type of diversity refers to the presence of multiple religions and spiritual beliefs (including lack thereof) in the workplace.
Age diversity
Age diversity means working with people of different ages and, most importantly, generations. For example, millennials, GenZers and GenXers can coexist in the same workplace.
Sex / Gender / Sexual orientation
Sex and gender can be used in the traditional sense of male and female employees. For example, you may sometimes hear the term “gender balance” used by companies trying to achieve a 50-50 balance between employees who identify as male and employees who identify as female. But, as gender is increasingly redefined, the term “gender diversity” may be more appropriate, since there are multiple variations in gender and sexual orientation.
Disability
There are various types of disabilities or chronic conditions included here, ranging from mental to physical. Companies often make reasonable accommodations to help people with disabilities integrate into the workplace, such as installing ramps for wheelchairs or providing mental health support. Some companies also adjust their hiring process to make sure it’s inclusive.
Protected by law
The characteristics corresponding to these forms of diversity are protected by law in many countries: these “protected characteristics” are attributes that companies shouldn’t take into account when making employment decisions (especially adverse decisions, like terminating employees or rejecting job candidates). For example, you mustn’t decide to reject an applicant for a job simply because they’re Asian, female or a person with disabilities.
Conversely, it’s good practice to strive to have all these diversity categories in your workforce by eliminating biases and using affirmative action plans.
Additional types of diversity
Apart from protected characteristics, there are other important types of diversity, too, like:
- Socioeconomic background / Class diversity
- Education
- Life experiences
- Personality
- General worldview / opinions
These are characteristics that are more intangible than protected characteristics, but it’s equally useful to take them into account inside the business context.
Why is diversity important?
The business case for diversity has been thoroughly laid out for years. If every team member has the same backgrounds, attributes or perspectives, their team might not be as creative and successful as it could. hom*ogeneity deprives teams from healthy conflict that brings innovation and progress.
How do we reap the benefits of diversity? It starts with getting rid of harmful biases when making employment decisions.
See more on the definition of diversity and biases.
Want more definitions? See our complete library of HR Terms.
FAQs
Here's a list of the different types of diversity in the workplace:
- Cultural diversity.
- Racial diversity.
- Religious diversity.
- Age diversity.
- Sex / Gender diversity.
- Sexual orientation.
- Disability.
Internal diversity: Race, gender, age, physical ability, ethnicity, and cultural identity. External diversity: Education, socioeconomic background, marital status, parental status, religious beliefs, and life experiences.
What are the 6 types of social diversity? ›
Social Diversity is a term that refers to the various ways that we are set apart from one another. The different types of diversity include racial, cultural, sex and gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, religion, and several others.
What are the 7 key areas of diversity? ›
7 types of diversity in the workplace
- Cultural diversity. ...
- Age diversity. ...
- Racial diversity. ...
- Gender diversity. ...
- Sexual orientation. ...
- Disability. ...
- Religious diversity.
Eight major social identities, often referred to as “the big eight,” are commonly used to describe how a person categorizes themselves and others — ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.
What are the 4 types of diversity? ›
Some are visible and some are not. Still, others are immutable parts of who we are, while some change many times over the course of our lives. Broadly speaking, there are four types of diversity: internal, external, organizational, and worldview.
What are 3 types of diversity? ›
A study of 180 Spanish corporate managers explored perceptions of diversity and found that depending on who is answering, diversity usually means one of three things: demographic diversity (our gender, race, sexual orientation, and so on), experiential diversity (our affinities, hobbies, and abilities), and cognitive ...
What are the 12 dimensions of diversity? ›
The dimensions of diversity include gender, religious beliefs, race, martial status, ethnicity, parental status, age, education, physical and mental ability, income, sexual orientation, occupation, language, geographic location, and many more components.
What are the 3 main characteristics of diversity? ›
Primary characteristics of diversity are usually the most visible; for example, gender, race, sexual orientation, and age, although often these may not be apparent.
What are the two main types of diversity? ›
Diversity comes in two levels, with surface-level diversity being individual traits that are visible, such as age, gender diversity, visible disabilities, ethnicity, and body shape. The other side of the iceberg is deep-level diversity which covers the non-visible characteristics that make everyone unique.
While defining diversity can be difficult, it may be helpful to understand two different types of diversity: Acquired and inherent.
What are 5 key areas of diversity and inclusivity? ›
We're focusing here on the five most common areas of diversity that companies identify.
- Cultural Diversity. The modern working world has been defined by one central phrase: culture fit. ...
- Racial Diversity. ...
- Gender Diversity. ...
- Physical Disabilities. ...
- Diversity in Interests.
Oftentimes, as Black candidates and employees, we run into roadblocks to meet these goals – be it due to a lack of access to opportunity, support or unconscious biases. Creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable company starts with what I like to call the “Four Cs” – careers, connections, community, and capital.
What are the 14 dimensions of diversity? ›
The dimensions of diversity include gender, religious beliefs, race, martial status, ethnicity, parental status, age, education, physical and mental ability, income, sexual orientation, occupation, language, geographic location, and many more components.
What are the 10 differences encompassed by diversity? ›
What are common types of diversity?
- Race and ethnicity.
- Gender.
- Sexual orientation.
- Age.
- Physical abilities and disabilities.
- Cultural background.
- Socioeconomic status.
- Religious and spiritual beliefs.
A study of 180 Spanish corporate managers explored perceptions of diversity and found that depending on who is answering, diversity usually means one of three things: demographic diversity (our gender, race, sexual orientation, and so on), experiential diversity (our affinities, hobbies, and abilities), and cognitive ...
What is diversity 3 examples? ›
Examples of diversity include visible diversity such as age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race. Invisible diversity examples are sexual orientation, educational background, and work experiences. Personal diversity includes religion, geographical location, and general worldview.
