Why do companies value diversity?
Companies value diversity and inclusion because it matters to potential employees. A study conducted by Glassdoor found that 67% of job seekers claim that a diverse workplace is important to them. Similarly, a study by Atlassian in 2018 found that 80% of technology workers value diversity.
A diverse workforce leads to more ideas and innovations, benefiting the company. According to research by McKinsey & Company, companies with a diverse executive team in terms of gender and ethnicity outperform others in terms of profitability. For companies, focusing on diversity is a win-win for everyone.
6 Ways to Know if a Company Values Diversity and Inclusion
1. Research Online
Start by visiting the company’s website. What do you see in the images? Are the people from diverse backgrounds or relatively homogeneous? Also, read the “About Us” section on the site and look for any metrics disclosed about diversity or hiring practices.
You can also read employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor and Fairygodboss. Research companies carefully to know as much as possible about the organization.
2. Consider the Company’s Employees
Find out who the members of the company’s leadership team are. This information is often available on the company’s website, but you can also search for it online, including on LinkedIn. Also, be sure to look around when you visit the office for interviews.
3. Check the Company’s Core Values
Does the company have a mission statement or core values? If so, see if it mentions diversity or inclusion as priorities. Also, check if there’s someone in the HR department with a title related to diversity, such as Chief Diversity Officer. Also, check if the company has a diversity and inclusion initiative or program.
4. Ask Questions During the Interview
When the interviewer turns to you and asks if you have any questions for them – or throughout the conversation – try to inquire about diversity. Here are some questions you can ask:
- I see that diversity is listed in the company values. Can you share some examples of how it is promoted?
- How is diversity shown as an important value in this company?
- Does the company provide training for managers on diversity and inclusion?
- What does the company do to ensure inclusivity?
- Please tell me about the benefits that the company offers.
5. Reach Out to Contacts
Do you know anyone at the company? Use your LinkedIn connections. See if you know or are a few degrees away from anyone who has worked at the company and send them a quick message or email to see if they can share any details about the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
6. Check Employee Benefits
The company’s policies can reveal a lot about how much they value inclusion. For example, offering maternity leave benefits – or rather family leave benefits that include all parents, including those with adopted children or same-sex partners – indicates that the company is keen on supporting all types of parents in the office.
Sources:
– U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. “Employers,” Accessed Feb. 26, 2021.
– Glassdoor. “What Job Seekers Really Think of Your Diversity Stats,” Accessed Feb. 26, 2021.
– Atlassian. “State of Diversity and Inclusion in U.S. Tech,” Accessed Feb. 26, 2021.
– McKinsey & Company. “Delivering through Diversity,” Accessed Feb. 26, 2021.
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– Harvard Law School Forum. “Missing Pieces Report: The 2018 Board Diversity Census of Women and Minorities on Fortune 500 Boards,” Accessed Feb. 26, 2021.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-tell-if-a-company-values-diversity-and-inclusion-4770190
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