DIVERSITY POLICIES, DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYEES’ PERCEPTIONS OF CANADIAN WORKPLACE: IMPLICATIONS FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE

Humans cannot live in isolation. The uniqueness of diversity is found when people form an association or integrate to solve a problem and build a stable community. Diversity is a perceived solution to problems involving inequality, discrimination, and oppression. Governments worldwide cannot avoid diversity due to globalization’s multidimensional impacts. The purpose of this study is to explore perceptions of Black immigrant workers in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to contribute to the knowledge of both crusaders and tradition-bearers to manage polarity and reduce perceived discrimination and oppression suffered by crusaders while providing tradition-bearers with positive outcomes. This study is significant in that it will create a better understanding of diversity, with equality as a polarity and dilemmas to manage rather than solutions to workplace oppression. The polarities of democracy theory was this study’s theoretical framework. The theory involves distinguishing between problems that require solutions and dilemmas that require management for the best possible outcomes. The target group for the study was Black skilled immigrant workers in Calgary who had emigrated to Canada through the Express Entry program Recruitment of 10 participants was done through professional associations in Calgary. A lack of support for and undue pressure on Black immigrants results in a tortuous integration process. Future uncertainty indicates the need to manage diversity and equality in tandem to maximize their upsides. Policymakers and implementers of diversity policy in any organization should consider and engage with the polarities of democracy and polarity management theories.