In this article, we’ll break down what exactly inclusive recruitment is, why it matters to your business and how to effectively implement best practices.
What do we mean by ‘inclusive recruitment’?
Put simply, inclusive recruitment encompasses the entire hiring process from initial attraction and applications to candidate selection and eventual appointment of a successful person.
The aim of inclusive recruitment is to ensure that the hiring process has as few barriers to entry as possible that would make success more difficult for applicants with protected characteristics, like disabilities or being from marginalised groups.
We’ve already covered the benefits of having a diverse workforce earlier.
Why does it matter?
Implementing practices that ensure a diverse workforce will ensure you aren’t missing out on talented staff, as well as making sure people from all backgrounds can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table. It will also improve your employer brand and make your company a more attractive place to work at.
Most importantly, you’ll minimise the risk of discriminating against any applicants. There are also laws such as the ‘equality Act 2010’ that provide legal protection for applicants who believe they have been discriminated against. And while we would all like to think we are without bias towards marginalized groups, as we’ll see in this article there are ways that the process itself can discriminate that you might not have even thought about.
Consequences of not hiring inclusively
Outside of simply breaking the law, there are either factors to consider when not recruiting inclusively.
Repeatedly hiring people from the same background as your current staff force will stifle innovation and different perspectives within the business, eventually leading to increased difficulty in remaining competitive.
Due to the current landscape of the job market, there are also huge skills shortages and skilled candidates are in high demand. If other employers are making the process easier for talented people from diverse backgrounds and you aren’t, you will lose out on talent.
Practical ways to hire inclusively
Here are some things to consider utilising in your hiring practices.
Think about the candidate experience
Consider having multiple options available for candidates to apply.
This could be offering application forms in multiple languages or ensuring applicants can submit cover letters to explain their talents outside of just their work history on a resume.
Also ensure you are equipped to make adjustments for candidates with specific needs, such as access for disabled applicants or adjustments to the interview format to make it easier for people to put their best foot forward.
Make the application process inclusive
Evaluate if there are steps in the process that would be more difficult for some candidates (such as disabled applicants) and adjust as necessary.
Consider that many peoples CV’s may not be an accurate representation of their competency. For instance, societal barriers mean many people may have gaps in their CV.
You can make sure you aren’t missing out on talent by employing things like application forms based on competency, or video applications for those who are better at explaining their talents verbally over in-writing.
Think about the language in job adverts
Just by example, when advertising a managerial role language typically associated with masculinity such as ‘assertive’ or ‘competitive’ is shown to be more appealing to men than women.
Consider using language like ‘decisive’ that has fewer connotations to a specific gender and is less likely to alienate candidates.
With any ad, consider how your language words conveys the kind of person you need for the role and not your personal preferences.
How EWS can help
As experts in employment industry, consultants at EWS can guide you through inclusive recruitment practices. Our solutions are here to help your company stay competitive and ensure you aren’t missing out on talent.
Lithuania – Employer of Record
Kosovo – Employer of Record
Finland – Employer of Record
Namibia – Employer of Record
Nepal – Employer of Record
Spain – Employer of Record
Latvia – Employer of Record
Ireland – Employer of Record
Cyprus – Employer of Record
Czech Republic – Employer of Record
Italy – Employer of Record
Indonesia – Employer of Record
South Africa – Employer of Record
Tunisia – Employer of Record
Bosnia – Employer of Record
Moldova – Employer of Record
Five Tips For Improving Employee Engagement
Netherlands – Employer of Record
Germany – Employer of Record
France – Employer of Record
Portugal – Employer of Record
Bulgaria – Employer of Record
Austria – Employer of Record
Hungary – Employer of Record
Slovenia – Employer of Record
INCLUSIVITY IN THE TEAM MAKES EVERYONE WIN
Thailand – Employer of Record
Sri Lanka – Employer of Record
The Significance of an Employer of Record
Greece – Employer of Record
Mexico – Employer of Record
4 Reasons to Outsource Your Payroll
Five Recruitment Trends 2023
Malaysia – Employer of Record
Skill-Based Hiring and Benefits
Malta – Employer of Record
How To Practice Inclusive Recruitment
Israel – Employer of Record
Macedonia – Employer of Record
Jordan – Employer of Record
Macau – Employer of Record
Peru – Employer of Record
The Importance of Employer Branding
Bahrain – Employer of Record
South Korea – Employer of Record
Recruiting during a recession
Philippines – Employer of Record
USA – Employer of Record
Japan – Employer of Record
How To Setup A Business in 2023
Norway – Employer of Record
Managing Overseas Projects In 2023
Reason Of Expanding Your Workforce Globally
Croatia – Employer of Record
Colombia – Employer of Record
5 Ways To Speed Up Your Hiring Process
Egypt – Employer of Record
3 Ways To Streamline An Interview Process
Russia – Employer of Record
Saudi Arabia – Employer of Record
Hong Kong – Employer of Record
An Effective Hybrid Work Model
Turkey – Employer of Record
UAE – Employer of Record
Pakistan – Employer of Record
7 Things to Consider Before Accepting a Job
Kazakhstan – Employer of Record
3 Reasons to Encourage Employees to Generate Employer Brand Content
Denmark – Employer of Record
Sweden – Employer of Record
Bangladesh – Employer of Record
Kuwait – Employer of Record
How To Hire In The Age Of Hybrid Working
Australia – Employer of Record
Oman – Employer of Record
Qatar – Employer of Record
Ukraine – Employer of Record
Diversity – A Vital Hiring Strategy
Owning Every Moment of Your Hiring Experience
Serbia – Employer of Record
Maldives – Employer of Record
India – Employer of Record
Argentina – Employer of Record
Uzbekistan – Employer of Record
Belarus – Employer of Record
Brazil – Employer of Record
Chile – Employer of Record
Armenia – Employer of Record
3 Steps To Company Formation In The UK & Abroad
Romania – Employer of Record
Canada – Employer of Record
Morocco – Employer of Record