Misunderstandings in Culturally Diverse Workplaces Essay -- social iss

This essay will explain issues that occur in culturally diverse act asplaces and describe how personal conceptions may contribute to misunderstandings when on the job(p) with others in culturally diverse workplaces. This essay will also discuss the impact of cultural differences when conflict occurs and it will give suggestions on how to resolve and deal out this conflict. An explanation of who to discuss the conflict with in a work environment will also be discussed in this essay. The issues that arise in a culturally diverse workplace need to be known and identified by counsellors to ensure they are aware of any obstacle forming.Cross-cultural conflict ignore arise from a range of issues. These issues include language barriers, customs, roles and status, differences in non-verbal behaviour, personal space, appearance, gender, religion and responses to authority (Open Colleges, 2012, p.47-49). While works as a professional in a multi-cultural country it is important for counsel lors to understand the influence these issues can have on relationships in the workplace with both clients and colleagues. Fontes states, when the client and counsellor come from disparate cultures, obtaining correct basic demographic information can be challenging due to atypical family configurations, facts that have been lost or changed in the process of in-migration and lying (2008, p.282). These issues may be overcome with honesty and confidence once the counsellor and client have strong rapport. It is important for counsellors to understand their own cultural concepts and how they may contribute to conflict when working with others. As a young female, I understand that in many cultures I would be recognised as incompetent and unhelpful. However, by using le... ...of how to resolve it successfully. A reflection on my own cultural concepts has enabled me to understand how personal values and beliefs may contribute to misunderstandings when working with others and how the impac t of cultural differences can affect conflict. It has also explained where to get assistance if needed if conflict arose. This information will be used in my work when counselling clients from a different cultural background.Works CitedOpen Colleges (2012) Student Workbook Work within a structured counselling framework. Open Colleges Sydney, AustraliaGeldard, D., and Geldard, K. (2012) Basic face-to-face Counselling A training manual for counsellors (7th Ed.) Frenchs Forest Pearson Education AustraliaFontes, Lisa Aronson, May 23, 2008, Interviewing Clients across Cultures A Practitioners Guide Guilford Press, New York, ISBN 9781606230534