What About Workplace Diversity?
Has the workplace become a melting pot? It’s all about diversity?
With recent headlines around the gender pay gap and women in the workforce dominating the news, it’s easy for companies to try a one-size fits all recruitment approach to fill gaps quickly. But, diversity is much more than hiring individuals from a specific demographic or ethnic background. Often the mistake businesses make is encouraging management to hire from specific groups in order to tick the ‘right’ boxes, which can lead unhappy staff as inclusion needs to be a part of the company culture not just the hiring process.
One of the biggest challenges facing companies today is how to create an environment that is open and values equal participation so people thrive rather than just be present each day. Create a culture where people can feel they are truly valued and respected. Individuals are like an ionion, many layered. We have got to make sure companies create processes to understand, welcome, respect and value differences.
When reviewing diversity and inclusion processes, there is no quick fix or shortcut. People may feel threatened with change. Changes is processes and proceedures will be necessary.. But if a business is truly committed to it, then absolutely it can be done.
A few key pieces of advice for employers about how to incorporate and create a diverse workplace.
People like businesses are unique, so the hiring process should be too. Diversity is key!
Usually hiring is need driven; someone has resigned and as a result the role needs to be filled as soon as possible, which means the same job advert is used.
It is important to ask the following questions:
- Do we really need that level of education?
- Can we offer flexible working?
- Do they have to be able to do certain key parts of the role?
- What’s our interview process?
- Is it the same panel each time – is there any representation?
Value proposition – the advertising message and its appeal
It is very much about creating a process that is more about equity than equality – not discounting any group or individual to make sure that we’re all actually at the same starting point. If a company is inclusive, they would want to attract everybody and not only look at getting women back into the workplace or increasing the number of Black, Asian minority, Ethnics (BAME) candidates into their company. The message should be that they want the best person for the role and recognising that they might have to male themselves attractive to individuals in order to want them to come and work for the company.
Onboard and retain staff
It is important that companies spend time to make their onboarding process inclusive. Employees want to know what it will be like going forward once they have joined the company. They will want to know if there is a real culture of inclusion. Ensure there is follow on from appointment through to onboarding. This could lead to retaining employees, as a culture is created where everyone feels valued.
Valuing diversity
At times, companies struggle to get a number of diverse candidates to apply for their jobs. This links back to the messaging – Companies need to remember that every potential future employee is researching them before they even apply. Potential staff can quickly tell if you are being authentic or if it’s just another token gesture. What message as a company are you putting out on social media?
