YOUR SUCCESS MATTERS
1. Define Your Ideal Candidate Profile Create a clear picture of the skills, experience, and cultural fit you're looking for before starting the recruitment process. This helps target the right candidates from the start. 2. Implement a Robust Screening Process Use a...
Based on the search results, some key financial metrics service-based entrepreneurs should track to balance growth and profitability include: 1. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): This measures the average cost of acquiring a new customer, which is crucial for ensuring...
Based on the search results, some common mistakes service-based entrepreneurs make during rapid growth include: 1. Neglecting a Solid Foundation: Prioritizing growth over establishing a strong operational foundation, which can lead to instability and challenges as the...
Did you know that according to McKinsey, companies working towards an inclusive atmosphere are 35 percent more likely to generate above-average returns? Despite this, workplace diversity remains an issue across industries. We share insights on how to address this challenge and five software recommendations that you can explore to improve workplace diversity in your organization.
Why is Diversity in the Workplace So Important?
Recently, several industries have come under scrutiny for the lack of workplace diversity. For instance, the spotlight seems to be on the technology sector, where the gender composition in senior management continues to be skewed in favor of men. In the media and entertainment industry as well, the #MeToo movement showed how gender bias and harassment dominate professional culture and negatively influence working conditions.
Companies with an established workplace diversity policy focus on employing candidates from a variety of backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, age, and gender. Together, this creates an inclusive workplace culture where differences are not only accepted but actually celebrated.
Interestingly, diversity and inclusion is not just a question of ethics – diverse workplaces are proven to be more productive and ready for innovation. “We know that diversity is good for business. A McKinsey report proved it, finding that companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity were 35 percent more likely to generate above average returns, and those in the top quartile for gender diversity were 15 percent more likely to have above average financial returns,” notes Scott Ballina, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader at people-centric technology company, Citrix.
Five Tech Solutions that Help Improve Workplace Diversity
Employers are turning to technology to promote workplace diversity and make workplaces more inclusive. Here are five solutions that help eliminate bias and promote a diverse workforce at your organization.
1. A diversity and inclusion assessment tool to monitor culture
In March 2019, Exude Inc. introduced a diversity assessment tool that allows organizations to evaluate different scenarios for gaps in inclusion.
It follows a three-pronged model: intake, design, and data analysis. Exude works closely with organizational stakeholders to identify their specific workplace diversity goals. Then, a customized assessment is designed against which the most current metrics can be measured. Organizations can consequently achieve an accurate picture of their workplace and initiate course correction where necessary.
2. An anti-bias hiring mechanism
SAP is a pioneer in this field with its unique bias-detection solution called Job Analyzer, a part of its primary tool, SAP Recruitment Manager. Job Analyzer studies job descriptions that lean towards male candidates. For example, it highlights terms such as “we want only the best” and “hero,” which implicitly promote gender bias when hiring.
Job Analyzer suggests inclusivity-friendly options to replace these instances, allowing organizations and recruiters to write more neutral job descriptions. As a result, a more diverse talent pool is encouraged to reach out to recruiters. SAP is also planning more features to extend its impact on the diversity and inclusion space.
3. Software that simplifies harassment reporting
A company culture where harassment is pushed under the rug only perpetuates prejudice and can negate the impact of workplace diversity policies. This makes remediation tools such as People First RH so important. The platform was released last year to enable visible workflows, automatic escalations, and anonymized harassment data summaries to encourage a more inclusive workplace.
Only 10 percent of harassment is reported, People First noted in a press release. Their platform, with its stance on absolute transparency, helps protect employees, creating a safe workplace for all and improving retention as a consequence.
4. A digital forum to discuss diversity issues
In 2018, Women 2.0 launched a unique diversity and inclusion product called The Dot, which provides HR teams access to diversity resources, management tactics, and diversity and inclusion facilitators.
Several companies – especially smaller-sized ones – struggle with the many issues and regulations surrounding diversity today. The Dot offers peer-to-peer networking, private access to experts, event participation, and a growing resource library to help navigate this landscape.
5. A communication analysis tool to preempt workplace bullying
In February 2019, HR tech startup Valued unveiled a solution to combat workplace bullying as well as reward positive behavior. The solution leverages a natural language processing (NLP) engine to scan anonymized data from Slack and Gmail to offer early warnings of bias or inappropriate treatment.
Through pulse surveys, employees share information and leaders can gain real-time insights on dashboards. Valued uses a combination of NLP, a Slack-based chatbot, and powerful data visualization techniques to keep tabs on workplace culture and enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying.
The Way Forward in Addressing Workplace Diversity Challenges
Today, diversity is a pressing issue as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) throw more complexities into the mix. These technologies “learn” from previous patterns and could potentially perpetuate unconscious bias among employers. For instance, last year, Amazon’s experimental AI recruiter made headlines when it was found to favor male candidates for technical roles.
Such instances highlight the need for constant vigilance and proactive efforts from HR teams to create an inclusive workplace. The platforms discussed in this article can help promote workplace diversity and push for better “human” as well as business outcomes.
See Original Article at Spice Works
