Inclusive recruitment is not just a statutory obligation - it is strategically imperative when building high performing teams.
As organisations strive to remain competitive and innovative, the importance of inclusive recruitment is hard to overstate.
It is the practice of ensuring that hiring processes are fair, equitable and welcoming to candidates, regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, age, disability or any other characteristic. Importantly, inclusive recruitment is not only about fostering a positive recruitment and onboarding process, it translates into an environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Inclusive recruitment allows you to reach diverse Talent and supports your business growth by –
1. Increasing Innovation and Creativity
Do you want an environment where everyone’s opinions are the same and their life experiences are broadly similar? Is it better for business owners to be surrounded by those that think in a similar way, or is it actually better for teams to made up of a diverse group of people that bring different experiences and viewpoints?
Yes, you will be challenged, and yes sometimes you will be faced with opinions that are not aligned with your own – but isn’t that a bit healthier? Might thinking outside of your own lived experience lead to enhanced innovation and creativity?
2. Improving Employee Performance and Engagement
You would like your employees to stay for the long term right? People who feel valued and included are more likely to be committed and engaged in their work. Fair recognition in renumeration, advancement and promotion opportunities, are more likely to bring loyalty to their employer and stay for the long term. If an inclusive culture of aspiration is in place, why would your employees feel they need to look elsewhere?
3. Building A Positive Reputation and Brand Awareness
Companies which prioritise inclusive recruitment often enjoy an enhanced reputation and a stronger brand image. In our modern post Covid world, corporate social responsibility and ethical business practices are increasingly important to consumers, being known as an inclusive employer can have a positive effect on job seekers and consumers alike.
Employer values are also increasingly recognised as the reason to, or not to, work for or engage in business with an organisation.
People are inherently more inclined to join a business that are aligned with their own values regarding equality and fairness.
4. Reducing Discrimination
By implementing inclusive recruitment practices such as encouraging applications from underrepresented groups by proactive advertising, looking at flexible working patterns and ensuring that interviews are structured and conducted by a diverse panel, unconscious bias and discrimination in the recruitment process is reduced.
A more level playing field is created where candidates are successful due to their talents, skills and qualifications – and that is what we love to see!
5. Stronger Legal Compliance
A minor but important point – by ensuring inclusive recruitment practices, as a happy by product an employer ensures that they remain on the right side of UK employment law.
In a snapshot, inclusive recruitment practices are a must for all employers. To build engaged, innovative and high performing teams it is essential!
talentheads.co.uk