Communication & Diverse Workplaces

Implementation of a new retirement plan for the diverse

cultures of Australia, Panama, and Germany

Denying to marginalizing• Denying to

marginalizing is a common avoidance method, and marginalizing might come into effect for the retirement plan change. Depending on the added benefits employees may feel that not enough is being done for them.

• People can tend to downplay the actual benefits to them at times of a change, so it may need to be spelled out for them.

Home & Work Life Balance• Home & work life

balance would likely be the most prevalent in the German culture. Germans tend to be all business and no play or even humor when it comes to business, so I would imaging that they would have the best balance of my three selected cultures.

• Australians tend to be very team oriented, and want to be seen as being a team player so are more likely to allow those lines to become blurred if it secures them that image.

Unintended Consequences• Unintended

consequences can easily come from any organizational change decision. Being careful and taking any necessary steps to explain what the change is and why it is being implemented is key to easing employees into any change, whether good or bad.

• When employees don’t understand the reasoning behind a change they are more reluctant to listen, and may buck the change. Some of the unintended consequences that could result from the implementation of a new retirement plan could be more understanding workers.

Societal Expectations & Upward Employee Mobility

• Societal expectations comes into play for all three cultures. All would be happy to see a better retirement plan come into play, but may be reluctant to accept that the plan being implemented is good for all.

• Upward employee mobility is something that would be sought in all three chosen cultures. Some would be more understanding than others though.

Valuing Others & Flexibility • Valuing others &

flexibility is commonplace in Australian culture where they are very team oriented and recognize that each person has something to offer. Hearing each person out allows you to collect all the evidence and be objective and well informed in your decision later.

• Knowing that you have a good picture allows you to be more flexible as well and adapts to change. A Retirement plan change would be a good value driven subject for everyone to take the time to understand, as it would likely effect each employee.