Diversity is more than just a buzzword in today’s workforce. It’s a crucial aspect of any successful company that wants to remain competitive and relevant in today’s society. A diverse workforce can bring new ideas, perspectives, and approaches to the table, ultimately leading to increased creativity, innovation, and growth. However, many companies struggle to achieve diversity in their hiring process. In this blog post, we will discuss how to ensure workplace diversity in the hiring process and how APSG Talent can help you achieve it.
Establish A Clear Diversity Policy
The first step in ensuring workplace diversity in the hiring process is to establish a clear diversity policy. This policy should be communicated to all members of the hiring team, and it should outline the company’s commitment to diversity, the criteria for evaluating candidates, and the steps the company will take to address any issues related to diversity. The policy should also include a definition of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, and sexual orientation.
Broaden Your Candidate Pool
One of the main reasons why companies struggle to achieve diversity in their hiring process is because they limit their candidate pool. Many companies rely on traditional recruiting methods that may not reach a diverse audience. To broaden your candidate pool, consider posting job openings on a wide range of platforms, including job boards, social media, and professional associations. You can also partner with organizations that focus on diversity and inclusion, such as APSG Talent, to reach a wider range and network of candidates.
Remove Unconscious Bias
Unconscious bias can affect the hiring process, leading to the exclusion of diverse candidates. To remove unconscious bias, it’s essential to establish a standardized hiring process that evaluates candidates based on objective criteria. This can include blind screening, where identifying information such as name, gender, and race is removed from resumes before being reviewed by the hiring team.
Foster An Inclusive Workplace Culture
Achieving diversity in the hiring process is only the first step. To retain a diverse workforce, it’s essential to foster an inclusive workplace culture. This includes providing diversity training for all employees, creating a safe and respectful work environment, and offering opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
APSG Talent Can Help You Achieve Workplace Diversity
At APSG Talent, we support our clients in improving their processes and hiring practices to improve diversity in their workplace. We understand that each organisation is different, and we tailor our approach to incorporate the unique needs of each of our partners, ensuring that they have access to a wider range and network of candidates. We also provide ongoing support to both clients and candidates beyond initial placement, that promotes inclusivity.
Achieving workplace diversity in the hiring process requires a deliberate and intentional effort. By establishing a clear diversity policy, broadening your candidate pool, removing unconscious bias, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture, you can create a diverse and inclusive workforce that brings new ideas and perspectives to the table. At APSG Talent, we are committed to helping organizations achieve workplace diversity. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your diversity goals.
THE AUTHOR
Brigid Hanson
Business Manager – Australian Project Solutions Group
