Human resources departments can play a large role in fueling productivity and innovation at a company. One of the best ways to increase productivity and get new ideas flowing is to increase diversity and encourage collaboration. When people come together from radically different backgrounds to think about solutions to a problem, they typically develop ideas that are different and better than the ones they would have proposed if they had worked independently. Many companies today have recognized the importance of diversity and integrated diversity policies directly into their hiring and management processes. If you feel like your company is lacking in diversity, then the following tips may help your HR department to create a more diverse workplace:
Measure diversity directly
Many HR departments do not think about tracking diversity, but statistics on employees can help companies quickly realize when they need to focus on increasing diversity. In addition to tracking company statistics, the department may also want to obtain input directly from employees about whether they feel like the company has benefited or could benefit from a more diverse workforce. These questions can be included on anonymous surveys so that people feel they can respond honestly. In addition, statistics should point not only to the company as a whole, but also to individual departments. Some departments may not have any issues, while others may struggle due to a lack of diversity.
Work with your company’s managers
Not all managers understand the value of diversity. If this is the case, they will not be able to facilitate collaboration among their teams. Diversity challenges preconceived notions and helps people to grow both personally and professionally. When people work frequently with individuals from different backgrounds, they develop an appreciation for viewpoints that are not directly aligned with their own. As a result, they become more open to the world around them and more receptive to new ideas. Ultimately, this openness could expose them to an idea that develops into a multimillion-dollar product. Managers should understand how to encourage collaboration between team members from different backgrounds and the inherent value of such an interaction.
Embrace new recruitment channels
When companies consistently use the same recruiters or recruitment techniques, they will likely attract the same types of candidates. In order to draw a diverse pool of candidates, HR departments need to cast a wider net, which may involve advertising a position in new places, contacting new recruiters, or using new professional networks. Posting on job-specific boards or the typical online sites will attract qualified candidates, but one should think outside the box when it comes to recruiting. When making hiring decisions, remember that people with experience outside the realm of the job in question have more tools to call upon in order to solve the problems that they encounter. Many of the most successful companies recruit continuously and make note of the talent they come across so that they can reach out when a position opens.
Increase your company’s flexibility
In today’s busy world, not all people are available to work a traditional eight-hour day. By offering flexible schedules, which may include float hours and the ability to work from home on occasion, companies can attract people who might not normally consider a position. Flexibility also applies to the standards by which candidates are judged. When you create a rigid set of standards, you severely limit the people who come across as good candidates. For example, some companies may pass over those who have not worked full-time for the past few years. However, those who took time off often bring a number of unique skills and experiences to the workplace.
Create fair opportunities for mentorship
When upper management handpicks employees for opportunities such as mentorship, they can create a degree of angst in the company. Instead, these opportunities should be communicated to everyone, and they should all have an equal chance to prove why they deserve it. Rewards should come from hard work and meeting goals, as well as from innovative ideas. The criteria for making such decisions should be completely transparent. As a company develops a reputation for being a true meritocracy, diversity will naturally increase as people come to the company in search of career advancement.
Communicate to candidates that diversity is important to the company
Human resources departments can increase diversity by highlighting it during the hiring process. At the interview, you can ask about a candidate’s experience with diversity and perceptions of how diversity drives innovation. However, you should not judge candidates based on their lack of experience with diversity in the past. Not all companies embrace or encourage diversity, and therefore not all employees have had the opportunity to work in a diverse environment. These individuals may thrive in a diverse environment, especially if they express an interest in working at a company that emphasizes the importance of diversity. You job is to communicate this to the candidate.