Workforce Management Featured Article
Diversity Taking Precedence in Today's Workforce
With a new generation of employees now making up the largest portion of the American workforce (Millennials and Generation X) it was only a matter of time before demands also started to shift. While Baby Boomers of the past were focused on career advancement and benefits packages when looking for new jobs, there are now new factors that top the list when it comes to longevity with a company.
A recent study from ZipRecuriter found that workplace diversity is very important to today’s job seekers' when looking for employment. The first annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Survey uncovered that millennials - who typically stay about 2.8 years with an employer, will actually stay twice as long if the business includes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices.
This includes employers making sure that people from different backgrounds (racial, physical abilities, sexual identities and more) are represented in the workplace. Industries found to still be lagging behind on implementing these new practices include: technology, healthcare, and legal industries.
Commenting on the results of the survey, Ian Siegel, ZipRecruiter Co-Founder, and CEO said the time is right for employers to focus on getting diversity and inclusion plans worked into their company culture and hiring practices.
"Millennials and Generation X together account for over two-thirds of today's U.S. labor force. When close to 90% of them say that a company's concrete commitment to workplace diversity affects their decision to work there, it means that employers who deploy DEI programs can have a competitive edge in the war for talent,” said Siegel.
Those responsible for workforce management at businesses must also understand the benefits of diversity. From gaining a larger pool of applicants and finding more qualified talent, to reducing recruitment costs and even improving the overall company culture - there are many reasons why being more diverse is positive.
As these diverse teams are formed, the hope is that future workforces will innovate at even faster rates thanks on greater collaboration, flexibility and inclusion.
Edited by Maurice Nagle
