Session 1: Attracting diverse talent and breaking down barriers

Breaking down barriers during the hiring process ensures attracting the best possible talent. It comes as no surprise that demonstrating a commitment to inclusion is increasingly important for attracting talent and needs to be matched by a process that doesn’t tilt the odds towards particular characteristics.

Glassdoor found that 76% of employees and jobseekers said a diverse workforce was important when evaluating companies and job offers. Recruitment board Monster found that 62% of employees would turn down a job offer if it came from an organisation with a culture that didn’t support diversity.

But as organisations struggle to recruit with the worsening skills shortage over the last few years, exacerbated by the pandemic, political and socio-economic issues, how does attracting diverse staff look in practice now?

Workers in 2023 are really looking for an increase in employer advocacy, and the millennials and Gen Z workers are really putting a high value on ESG (environmental, social and governance).

Deloitte did a survey with millennials last year and they found that nearly half of the employees in senior positions had turned down jobs because the organisation didn’t align with their values.
Panellist: Rachel Huggins
Practice Lead & Head of Race Representation, Audeliss