Workforce Diversity and Its Effect on Employees’ Performance among Selected Staff of Economic Commission of West African States Commission in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

In an organizational setting, a diverse workforce consists of a mixture of various genders, ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs etc. Over the years, the ECOWAS Commission has adopted the workforce diversity principle in managing and staffing their organizations, yet, it is not certain which of the diversity variables has a significant effect on employees’ performance. The study examined the effect of workforce diversity on employees’ performance among the selected staff of the Economic Community of West African States Commission in Abuja. The study adopted a survey research design, while a structured questionnaire rated on a five points linkers scale was administered to collect data meant for empirical data analysis. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis and data analysed by the use of econometric views. The findings of the study revealed that there is a positive relationship between independent variables of age, gender, educational background and ethnic diversities and the dependent variable of employees’ performance. Specifically, gender diversity has a positive and significant relationship with employees’ performance; age diversity has a negative but significant relationship with employees’ performance; ethnic diversity has a positive and significant relationship with employees’ performance, and educational background has a negative relationship with employees’ performance. The findings indicate that having a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive workforce can improve employee effectiveness. This means that workforce diversity is also an influencer 0n employees’ performance. Following this conclusion, the study recommended that the management of Economic The community of West African States should continue to promote equal employment opportunities for career growth for all gender to help fortify age diversity. Management of the ECOWAS commission should encourage teams made up of different age groups; employ a diverse workforce free of ethnic bias in order to improve employees’ performance; as well as take advantage of granting study leave to encourage employees’ skills.