Are Employers Really Making Steps Towards a More Diverse Workforce?

Half of the UK’s tech sector feels that their employer makes token gestures when creating a more diverse workforce. It seems that diversity and inclusions is still not a top priority. 

 

Current Status: Diverse Workforce? 

 

A recent study carried out by Culture Shift shows that half of the UK’s tech sector feels that efforts for a more diverse workforce are surface level. They also suggested that increasing diversity in the workplace is a low priority for many employers.

 

How Important is a Diverse Workforce for Employees

 

When looking at important factors for employees, 83% said that working at a  company with a strong ethical background was important to them. 88% stated that their workplace happiness comes from working for a company with a good reputation for fair employee treatment. An overwhelming number of respondents (79%) confirmed that working in a diverse workforce is a key factor for their happiness at work. Yet, in spite of this, nearly half of those surveyed (48%) think that their employer could do more to improve diversity.

 

Black Lives Matter Movement 

This year has been a year of awareness and change. With the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, many companies have taken this as a wakeup call to assess internal diversity and inclusion. That being said, it seems that many of these efforts are tokenistic and surface level. The results of this study demonstrate a lack of representation in the workplace.

 

“If organisations want to create a happy work environment then they should take heed, as most employees confirmed working somewhere with a diverse workforce was an important factor to their happiness at work,” comments Olive Strachan MBE, founder of Olive Strachan Resources Ltd, global business woman and diversity and inclusion specialist.

 

How Can Workplaces Increase Diversity in the Workplace?

 

30% of those surveyed said that their employee could improve workplace culture by recruiting more people from BAME backgrounds. 18% also called for more inclusion of LGBTQ+ backgrounds, highlighting this as a way to improve workplace culture. One-fifth of employees said that their employee could improve workplace culture by recruiting more diverse religions and faiths. One-quarter of respondents reported a need for better gender balance amongst recruits. Independent of culture, race, gender and sexuality, employees can make changes; 23% of employees said that their employer should improve workplace culture by recruiting people of varying abilities. Overall, it is clear that employers need to make a greater effort to improve workplace diversity.

 

“Not only do recruitment processes need to be inclusive, but promotion opportunities too, and employees from marginalised backgrounds need to be supported through their career, as well as other employees.” –  Gemma McCall CEO Culture Shift.