Top-performing companies have long recognized that diversity is good for business. But the definition of workplace diversity is evolving. Typically, when one thinks of workplace diversity, characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, and sexual orientation come to mind, among others. However, in today’s ever-increasing global economy, and in Corporate America’s race develop the newest innovations and best solutions, the definition of workplace diversity should be expanded to include immigration or citizenship status.
Indeed, through recruitment of a diverse workforce, including immigrants (green card holders) and nonimmigrants (temporary work visa holders) (collectively referred to as “foreign nationals”), organizations are equipped to recruit from a larger pool of applicants, thereby enabling organizations to find the best and brightest applicants across all races, ethnicities, genders and citizenships. Such a diverse workforce can also provide organizations with individuals who possess the requisite language skills and cultural experiences required to expand or improve operational outcomes in global emerging markets. A diverse workforce can also assist with achieving a true diversity of values (i.e., what motivates someone to join a company, to embody the organizational spirit and drive, and to be a productive employee for the long-term). Read more: