Diversify your company practices, not the employees!!

Welcome to the September edition of #TanaSpeaks with?Dr. Tana M. Session . This is a monthly newsletter designed to expand your perspective in the workplace. Don't miss an issue and be sure to?+subscribe!

The past year we've been singing the mantra of diversifying hiring practices...but what does that truly look like? There are companies who are focusing their "diversity recruiting" efforts on Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Minority-Serving Institutes (MSIs) and even high schools (such as Google ), while others are investing in their existing internal talent, such as Microsoft . Yet, a recent survey found that only 57% of recruiters have strategies to attract diverse candidates (SHRM) .

We can clearly do so much more, but we have to start by looking at the 'how' and the 'why'.

A 2021 State of Online Recruiting Report shows that:

• 73.9% of employers are struggling to find qualified candidates, while 77% of employers anticipate a shortage of high-caliber applicants in the coming year;
• 66.6% of employers increased their hiring volume since June of 2020;
• 58.9% of companies became more reliant on job boards in the past year;
• 28.5% of job seekers recently applied for a position they’re underqualified for; and,
• 53.8% of applicants worry about standing out in a competitive market.

As we incorporate more tools to support our workflow, we may see gaps in areas which previously weren't present. This is why I encourage blind recruiting for my clients, since technology has the bias of the individual who built the tool . If HR professionals are increasingly relying on technology in their recruiting process, they need to establish parameters that can act as safeguards against bias and discrimination.

Plus, as digital natives, meaning they were born into an established digital system, Gen Y & Z are the most diverse cohort in U.S. history. It's projected that by 2025, white Americans are expected to become the minority . And Diversity isn't just about racial makeup, gender and sexual orientation; we need to look at all the different ways a person might be categorized such as age, education, language, nationality, socio-economic status, disability and religion. As a DEIB practitioner, I know there is still a lot of work to do! We are just starting to scratch the surface of creating a workplace of inclusion and belonging for ALL employees.

As our world continues to increase in complexity and interconnectedness, we also have the opportunity to push ourselves out of our comfort zone! Start by talking to a team member you normally wouldn't and putting yourself in their shoes. Allow your employees to bring their true authentic selves into the workplace. You will be surprised to see how far a small dose of empathy and compassion can take you and your team.

As I've shared with my clients, I'm learning something new everyday...because this work is truly an ongoing journey!!

Finally, September marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month , which falls between September 15 to October 15. We take this time of the year to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans with ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

And...September 18 is International Equal Pay Day. This day marks the longstanding efforts toward achieving equal pay for work of equal value and further builds on the United Nations’ commitment to human rights and against all forms of discrimination.

Until next month... Stay safe, be well & stay healthy!

ICYMI: I'm on LinkedIn Learning

Uncovering Unconscious Bias in Recruiting & Interviewing – Dr. Tana M. Session | Taken by more than?101,500+ learners.?Enroll today!

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I'm pleased to announce the official launch of my new nonprofit "From Foster Care To Fabulous Foundation ." Our mission is to provide financial assistance and other resources to foster parents of children aged newborn to four (4) years old. If you know my story...then you know this is personal and near & dear to my heart. We have partnered with foster care agencies in New York, Los Angeles & Atlanta to help us identify foster parents in need.

Please support our mission by making your 2021 tax deductible charitable contribution via our website "Donate Today " page.?Thank you in advance for your support.?

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Working While Black?shares the journey of Black women in Corporate America as they rose through the ranks against all odds and a system stacked against them. Through their stories and prescriptive remedies, readers will develop strategies for career success and have a "true call to action."

You can still preorder a copy of my latest book,?Working While Black: A Woman's Guide to "Stop Being the Best Kept Secret(R)"?on my publisher's?website , or on Amazon and Barnes & Noble .