Abstract:
This study was interested in assessing whether any disparity between formal
policy and employee experience exists within a South African organisation.
Specifically, the research identified the images and metaphors presented within
an organization’s formal policy documents on diversity and then assessed the
extent to which those images reflect a culture of diversity within the organisation.
The researcher made use of qualitative methods in the form of content and
discourse analysis and in-depth interviews. The results suggest that while the
images and metaphors found in policy documents do in fact represent a culture
of diversity in its stated intentions, practically, as experienced by employees, a
culture for diversity remains limited.
