The concept of hiring a diverse group of talent has been a growing priority for many businesses, because historically, workplace demographics had been largely homogenous.
So what is the definition of workplace diversity and why are recruiters putting an emphasis on it? In order to answer that, we need to first define the different categories of diversity.
In the setting of the workforce, there is inherent diversity and acquired diversity. Inherent diversity encompasses demographics, such as gender, age, race, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc. Acquired diversity include experience, education knowledge and skillset.
Workplace diversity, then, is a combination of the two and can be defined as the acceptance and valuing of different ethnicities, races, ages, genders, disabilities, religions and sexual orientation, in addition to experience and education level and knowledge and skill set.
Why is workplace diversity so important?
While placing an emphasis on diversity seems like it is only an HR-backed initiative, leveraging a diverse set of talent can help your business and team produce better and more innovative services and products.
Cultural diversity can foster a more productive environment. When different minds and perspectives work together, solutions will come quicker and more naturally. In addition, hiring a diverse workforce brings new and specific sets of skills that are invaluable to any team.
How companies are placing a greater focus on diversity when considering who to hire
Unfortunately there is no single solution to increasing diversity within your company. However, there are methods you can follow to ensure a productive and inclusive recruitment.
With any project, you want to set a goal. The same thing can be done in your recruitment efforts. Set realistic objectives and gather the data and analyze it. Businesses strategize to maximize their profits, but they should deploy strategies to maximize diversity in their recruitment efforts.
Recording data on diversity and comparing it to other companies, you can increase transparency and accountability regarding inclusion and diversity problems. But firstly, start researching why your company lacks diversity. Sometimes, you may find a reason as to why there is a lack of engagement from candidates outside the “norm” of your internal teams.
Some reasons why there may be a is due to factors that are outside of your control, including barriers of entry in highly specialized fields. Even so, you may find that the problem isn’t with the perception of the industry or lack of skills, but rather a lack of awareness of all types of jobs that are within such industry. Use this data to adjust and think outside the box when it comes to hiring.
A company that fosters an inclusive and diverse environment allows their employees to increase their creativity, resulting in higher performance. This helps companies offer a wider array of services, which can increase profits as well.
To learn more about workplace diversity, don’t hesitate to contact Masterson Staffing Solutions online, by phone or by visiting one of our many office locations!
