A greater focus on cultural diversity in the workplace can have a positive impact on occupational safety and health, according to a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).
The report, ‘Diverse cultures at work: ensuring safety and health through leadership and participation’, reveals that there can be serious consequences resulting from a lack of awareness of cultural difference. But it also puts forward the case that it is possible for organisations to be more inclusive and use diversity to positive effects, as a resource for learning, change and renewal.
The importance of practising such techniques is highlighted by EU-OSHA director Dr Christa Sedlatschek, who explains: “A precondition for business success is healthy and motivated employees, especially in times of growing pressure on market competition.
“Workers with a migration background have to face specific language and cultural challenges, which is also mirrored in higher accident and sick-leave rates than national workers.”
As the proportion of the labour force that is composed of migrant workers within the EU continues to grow, many workplaces are becoming increasingly culturally diverse. Poor communication and misunderstanding may arise as a result of cultural differences and can result in tension and stress, reduced job satisfaction and higher staff turnover.
An increased occupational safety and health risk may be present, in part, because, in a multicultural work team, individual perceptions of what is safe may vary. Research has also shown that miscommunication, owing to cultural differences, has played a role in up to 80 per cent of all maritime accidents.
The report recommends establishing a constructive safety climate, which is shared by all those in a diverse workforce. It applies cross-cultural theories to the workplace and illustrates how leadership and worker participation are key to improving safety and health in culturally-diverse workplaces.
It also recommends that managers adapt their leadership style, address language barriers, effectively train workers to overcome inter-cultural issues, and nurture an inclusive working environment.
The report is available at: https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/diverse-cultures-at-work-ensuring-safety-and-health-through-leadership-and-participation/view
