The impact of diversity policies and supervisor-subordinate similarity on employees: a multilevel model

Due to recent demographic shifts and globalization, the labour force has changed dramatically. As a response to these transformations, a growing number of organizations have implemented policies that address workplace diversity. This development paper presents a multilevel model to investigate the extent to which organizational diversity policies shape employee perceptions that lead to individual outcomes such as organizational commitment and work-life balance. In addition, the framework addresses the role that supervisors may exert in that process. The research will be conducted in Brazil, a country that has undergone significant changes although diversity efforts remain somewhat timid. The model hopes to assist in bridging a gap that currently exists in the knowledge linking diversity theory and practice, thus making a contribution to academics and practitioners.