HR diversity: A study of employees’ perceptions in Indian organizations

This study examined the perceptions of male and female employees across various categories (i.e. general, minority, disabled, and socially disadvantaged employees) about HR diversity and employers’ efforts for promoting and valuing diversity in Indian organizations. The study found that women in general attached more importance to value diversity than men. Women were of the strong view that organizations must work towards hiring and retaining more women and ensuring development opportunities to women. Creating and valuing gender diversity is important. Further the perceptions of various categories of employees also differ significantly on the issue in context. Each group of employees thinks about themselves as more important than other groups of employees. General category employees did not value diversity as strongly as others (i.e. minority, disabled, and socially disadvantaged). Compared to general category men, general category women and both male and female of minority, disabled and socially disadvantaged categories perceived strongly and placed greater value on diversity and employers’ efforts to promote diversity.