ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the concept of ‘othering’ and the distinction between a ‘norm group’ and an ‘out group,’ and examines how this distinction operates in the workplace and in relation to occupational segregation. It discusses diversity practices in corporations and in anarchist organizations and explores whether anarchist practices can overcome the problem of ‘othering’ and exclusion. Diversity management concerns the processes dealing with the relationship between a social norm group and social out-groups. A different starting point is the ‘business case’ for diversity, which departs from the idea of a norm group and instead claims to value the diversity of individuals as business assets, suggesting that diverse teams bring together a larger range of experience, supporting creative problem solving. Preferential treatment of employees categorized as ‘diverse’ might be better accepted by colleagues if their difference is justified in terms of business reasons instead of social justice reasons. The enthusiasm for diversity management might also be part of workplace branding.
