How to Promote Diversity Within Your Talent Pipeline
A diverse workforce plays an essential role in building an office culture able to attract the best technology professionals. Forging diversity among your employees starts whenever you advertise a new open position. In short, your talent pipeline ultimately reflects the makeup of your office staff.
With an eye towards hiring a talented and diverse group of employees, here are a few tips on promoting diversity within your organization. In the end, it takes a well-considered plan and persistent effort over the long haul. It’s one effort that will pay your company dividends for years to come.
Employee Inclusion is The Basis of a Diverse Workforce
Fostering an office culture focused on inclusion remains an essential first step on the path towards workforce diversity. If your current employees already come from a variety of backgrounds, this definitely helps. Teambuilding exercises and employee social events are both great ways to let everyone know each other better. This approach helps to build the company culture your organization needs.
Open Communication and Real-Time Feedback is Essential
The process of forging a diverse group of employees relies on an open communication policy that uses real-time feedback. Regularly hold “town hall” type employee meetings where everyone is encouraged to speak up. Using anonymously submitted questions helps brings potentially controversial topics to the fore in a forum where issues are able to be discussed frankly.
Of course, your organization needs to quickly react to any feedback requiring an actionable approach. Don’t let issues related to diversity fester as they could grow into a problem adversely affecting employee morale and, subsequently, the company’s retention rate.
Champion Diversity on the Company Website and LinkedIn Page
Make it a point to highlight meaningful contributions from a diverse set of your employees on the company website as well as its LinkedIn page. An employee blog is another great resource for this purpose. It’s a great way to foster diversity among those interested in working for your organization. After all, a diverse talent pipeline leads to a diverse team in your office.
Watch Out For Unconscious Bias in Your Job Descriptions
Biased job descriptions hamper an organization’s efforts to foster diversity. Using gender-identifying pronouns is one example of unconscious bias. Instead, focus on the skills and experience required to succeed in the position.
If your organization needs help building a diverse technology team, speak with the experts at Digital Prospectors. As one of the top IT staffing agencies in Boston, we provide great candidates able to contribute to your success. Schedule some time with us soon!