Why diversity hiring should be your top priority?

As the work culture is changing, diversity and inclusion are becoming key factors when choosing to work at a company.?

Organizations that are becoming diverse in every aspect are prioritized more than any other workplace. It is needed since it helps in creating a culture of inclusivity for all employees.?

If you are an HR/Hiring manager looking to diversify your workforce, start with ‘Diversity hiring’. Since it is the first and foremost step needed in the workplace.?

Let’s dive in further to understand the importance and strategies for diversity hiring:?

Defining Diversity hiring?

In simple terms, Diversity hiring stands for a hiring process free from biasedness.?

Diversity hiring ensures that candidates are hired solely based on skills and qualifications. Rather than their background such as religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, or physical disability.?

A few of the reasons why it should be taken into consideration are:?

• Diversity hiring leads to an inclusive work culture. This helps in improving employee happiness and productivity. Hence, boosting retention rates at the workplace.?
• It helps in improving the reputation of the company. When more employees are selected from diverse backgrounds, it sends the powerful message that the organization values diversity and inclusivity.?
• Diversity hiring cultivates a resilient workforce. They tend to be more supportive during challenging times and embrace change and openness to new perspectives.?
• It creates better opportunities for creativity and problem-solving. The diverse workforce brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Hence, encouraging innovative thinking and facing challenges.?

However, it is often seen that workplaces tend to confuse ‘Diversity hiring’ and ‘Diverse hire’. Read further to know the difference between these two.?

Difference between ‘Diversity hiring’ and Diverse hire’

In diversity hiring, organizations have an intentional approach to selecting candidates to recruit and hire individuals from diverse backgrounds. It is a continuous effort to build an inclusive and safe work culture for all; where all candidates are valued, heard, and respected.?

However, in diversity hire, a candidate is selected only on their diverse background or underrepresented identity. Their qualifications and skills are not taken into consideration. In some cases, diversity hire is also done as the company is beginning its diversity efforts.?

Keeping the above definitions in mind, let’s move on to the best practices for diversity hiring.?

Top 5 diversity hiring strategies?

#1 Create inclusive job description: Organizations need to pay attention to what language they are using in the job description. Avoid gender-coded words and traits not required for the job role. It may seem to be like a small thing but it can subconsciously turn off diverse candidates. Make sure that the language and words are inclusive.?

The hiring manager should also ensure what questions they ask a candidate in the interview. They shouldn't be making any candidate uncomfortable based on their background.?

#2 Implement company policies that appeal to diverse candidates: Hiring is just one aspect of a diverse workplace. But, living with those values daily is important. Hence, workplaces need to create company policies that attract a wide range of diverse candidates. It creates an inclusive culture and makes the workplace an appealing destination for top talents.?

You can do so by:?

• Having a flexible work schedule at the workplace?
• Include holidays that take every religion into consideration
• Strict guidelines to follow diversity and inclusivity in the workplace?
• Ensure open and honest communication to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe?

#3 Use blind resumes and interviews: One of the popular techniques recruiters are using to promote diversity is ‘Blind interviews’ and ‘Blind resumes’. This means that personal information such as name, date of birth, location, and school are ‘blacked out’ to avoid biases.?

Apart from this, hiring managers can even use AI for resume reviews. It can help in selecting and moving top candidates forward based on the skills and experiences chosen by the organization.?

#4 Encourage employee referral programs: Employees often have diverse social and professional networks. They would recommend their acquaintances, family, or friends based on their skills and experience rather than their background. Besides this, they are most likely to refer those whom they believe could be well-suited for the job.

Hence, an employee referral program can be the right strategy. Especially when it is aligned with the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.?

#5 Provide anti-bias and diversity training: Lastly, organizations can provide training and mentorship sessions to HRs and leaders. It can help in spreading awareness about unconscious bias that can influence hiring decisions. These pieces of training can also ensure cultural competence in the workplace. As a result, understanding the benefits of a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive culture for all.?

To read more about Diversity hiring:?

• How to use employee referrals and diversity to build a better workplace
• 5 Reasons Why Diversity Hiring Matters (And How to Go about it)
• Embracing Inclusion: Why Diversity Hiring is Necessary
• Diversity & Inclusion Policy: The 10 policies your organization needs