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Who’s afraid of little old me?
“The whole DEI thing, that was – that was a trap. That was a sick trap…And, you know, we’ve destroyed that. That’s gone. That’s pretty much gone.”
Donald Trump
The US government – led by President Trump – is moving against diversity, equity and inclusion Stateside, with executive orders issued challenging initiatives, and prominent companies changing their policies. But, here in the UK, we should remember diversity is king. Most of us have seen the benefits in the lived experiences of people we know, but the good news story is also backed up by business data. For example, three reports in a McKinsey series from 2015-2020, showed a diverse workforce is an unalloyed positive, bringing:
- higher profits
- better decision making
- increased productivity
What’s more, those misrepresenting DEI initiatives – practices aiming to deliver equal opportunities and ensure unbiased, inclusive hiring, focusing on skills and experience – as something divisive and unnecessary, are creating a situation that nobody benefits from.
A commitment to workplace DEI isn’t a favour that businesses dish out; it’s a gift to them, providing increased innovation, better employee engagement and improved employee retention rates.
Employers who are committed to creating equal opportunities and establishing workplaces that feel open and inclusive – somewhere for everyone to thrive – will know this to be true.
Gate Keepers or Game Changers?
Why, then, are we still getting it wrong in Early Careers? While the last decade has seen vast improvements, there are still notable gaps. According to a Bright Network survey, 50% of students feel they’ve been hindered by their background, 69% of female students by their gender and 35% of black heritage students by their race. Neurodiverse students are also reporting long-winded processes as incredibly inaccessible.
Employers can address and improve this experience by:
- emphasising their outlooks, values and behaviours
- offering role models, showcasing communities/networks within their business
- explaining any and all assessment stages, highlighting how they are fair and equal to get the best out of every candidate
So, review those long-winded processes, explain each assessment stage clearly and offer support/guidance to ensure you are accessible for students from all backgrounds.
Smarter Starts – Establishing Gen AI Guidelines
Gen AI becoming ubiquitous provides an opportunity for employers to create more inclusive hiring processes. With established set policies for use in application stages and beyond, Gen AI is a tool that can level the playing field by helping applicants with:
- CV proofing
- preparing for assessment stages
- refining and articulating ideas
Clear guidelines on utilising Gen AI will be needed to help, not hinder, candidates, as existing vague policies may leave candidates feeling tripped up or unsure about disclosing use. Highlighting expected practices and clear ‘no-goes’ will result in improved quality of applications through all assessment stages.
Employers should establish transparent expectations to build candidate confidence, while also establishing trust and respect between brand and applicant.
Better Outputs, Happier Employees
While the story evolving across the pond isn’t directly mirrored in the UK, there’s still much we need to do. Embedding DEI in company culture and championing different experiences and ways of thinking, as well as redefining Early Careers entry points, are paramount to building the best workforce possible. One that thrives with multiple points of views, ready to challenge and strengthen ideas. After all, the ability to be our full, uncensored selves, fosters community and authenticity, which leads to better outputs and happier employees.
On a personal level, I particularly value TMPW for being a workplace that encourages each of us to bring our whole self to work and see its benefits every day.
As our late, great Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) said:
“Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. So, thank you.”
