WK3 Diversity and Cultural Competency

Debate It: Take a position for or against this statement: Government agencies should purpose to hire people from different ethnic, racial, and gender groups. Provide at least two reasons and examples to support your position.

I take the position of being for government agencies to purposefully hire people from different ethnic, racial, and gender groups, providing that the candidates being considered for employment have a strong sense of public service motivation (PSM) as noted by Riccucci (2012, p. 33). One reason for this position is that a strong PSM promotes work-related attitudes and behaviors that advances the public interest without the need for persuasion because the employee will be self-motivated (Riccucci, 2012).

Understanding the background, religious beliefs and personal experiences of potential employees – from a different culture- will give insight into what drives or motives her or him. For example, if a person was taught in their childhood to observe the golden rule – treat others the way you want to be treated, this person has a strong motivation for public service because they will treat everyone equally and fairly

Another reason for my position of purposeful diversity is that many communities that public agencies served have high percentages of residents with various cultures that would be better represented if the agency was culturally competent as noted by Riccucci. One example of purposeful diversity is having diversity programs with intentional outcomes that demonstrate sincere appreciation and acceptance of other cultures and rather than to just “say” a diversity program exist to “look” good.

Reference:

Riccucci, N. M. (2012). Public Personnel Management-Current Concerns, Future Challenges, Edition No. 5. . London and New York: Routledge – Taylor & Francis Group .