In the case, Diversity Programs at the New England Aquarium, a problem with diversity in the workplace exists and struggles arise when the company attempts to correct the issue. These changes are made by hiring new personnel, editing company policy, and creating educational programs to draw in a different crowd. In the end, the people who work for the aquarium are unsatisfied with the workplace environment and the patrons remain uncomfortable with the atmosphere at the aquarium. Using exhibit 1.1 in the textbook, I can identify where these problems exist in the company based on the Structural and Human Resource Frames.
The New England aquarium has set a goal of diversifying their population. They have enacted strategies to increase community …show more content…
The aquarium hires students from underserved populations who are not as interested as the volunteers or interns who work for the aquarium for the sake of interest. The high school students do not have the right skills for the position due to a lack of knowledge of different species or other key aspects of the jobs they are asked to complete. Improper education poses a problem that leads to training issues. The educators feel that they do not have the proper training to handle the students and the students do not feel that they have the proper training to complete the tasks assigned. Being underprepared is a major problem for the aquarium. If they do not train their staff correctly, the organization will suffer. It can be difficult to attract students who meet the needs and fit of the organization when they are selected for a specific reason. The students are hired to fill a diversity void. They are not given the full training that volunteers and interns receive, but expected to perform at the same level. They are younger and are not working at the aquarium as a result of an interest in the field of biology. For this reason, they do not feel that they fit into their job. The other groups of students treat the high school students differently since the interns and volunteers do the same or more work and do not earn an …show more content…
Attempts have been made by Mr. Williams in order to eliminate candidates who are not truly interested in learning from the aquarium. Candidate selection will set a basis for increasing satisfaction in the workplace. Also, the students, interns and volunteers should have more similar training. Even though they may be working on different jobs, it is important that they have the same knowledge base. A similar understanding of tasks will aid with their job acceptance. If they have a deeper understanding of the aquarium, the educators will not feel that their time is being wasted when they spend it with the students. Required training will also benefit the educators. They will not have to take time out of their day to teach the new students. Instead they can spend time completing their assigned tasks which will increase their job satisfaction. Finally, giving the student proper attention will increase their productivity. According to the Hawthorne Effect, employees worked harder if they were given added attention. I recommend a mentor program be established, so the students can work closely with an educator and learn from them as a way to put less pressure on Mr. Williams and increase involvement in the diversity programs for other
The New England aquarium has set a goal of diversifying their population. They have enacted strategies to increase community …show more content…
The aquarium hires students from underserved populations who are not as interested as the volunteers or interns who work for the aquarium for the sake of interest. The high school students do not have the right skills for the position due to a lack of knowledge of different species or other key aspects of the jobs they are asked to complete. Improper education poses a problem that leads to training issues. The educators feel that they do not have the proper training to handle the students and the students do not feel that they have the proper training to complete the tasks assigned. Being underprepared is a major problem for the aquarium. If they do not train their staff correctly, the organization will suffer. It can be difficult to attract students who meet the needs and fit of the organization when they are selected for a specific reason. The students are hired to fill a diversity void. They are not given the full training that volunteers and interns receive, but expected to perform at the same level. They are younger and are not working at the aquarium as a result of an interest in the field of biology. For this reason, they do not feel that they fit into their job. The other groups of students treat the high school students differently since the interns and volunteers do the same or more work and do not earn an …show more content…
Attempts have been made by Mr. Williams in order to eliminate candidates who are not truly interested in learning from the aquarium. Candidate selection will set a basis for increasing satisfaction in the workplace. Also, the students, interns and volunteers should have more similar training. Even though they may be working on different jobs, it is important that they have the same knowledge base. A similar understanding of tasks will aid with their job acceptance. If they have a deeper understanding of the aquarium, the educators will not feel that their time is being wasted when they spend it with the students. Required training will also benefit the educators. They will not have to take time out of their day to teach the new students. Instead they can spend time completing their assigned tasks which will increase their job satisfaction. Finally, giving the student proper attention will increase their productivity. According to the Hawthorne Effect, employees worked harder if they were given added attention. I recommend a mentor program be established, so the students can work closely with an educator and learn from them as a way to put less pressure on Mr. Williams and increase involvement in the diversity programs for other