Over two-thirds of employers believe that a diversity and inclusion policy has helped them attract top talent, a major study has revealed.
The research, published by Hays Recruitment, highlights the shifting needs of employees, who are increasingly prioritising diversity within the workplace over traditional needs, such as pay and flexibility.
According to the survey, two in three (67 per cent) employers believe that their organisation’s diversity and inclusion (D&I) policies are “important to help them attract new talent”.
This is a sentiment echoed by job hunters themselves, with seven in 10 (70 per cent) stating that these policies are an “important factor” when considering a new role.
The survey also found that 52 per cent of employers believe that implementing or expanding their current D&I policy will become a greater priority in the next three months. This rises to 70 per cent among central government employers, 63 per cent among healthcare employers, and 62 per cent among media employers.
Commenting on the research, Yvonne Smyth, of Hays Recruitment, suggests that the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement may have helped sharpen the focus on diversity in the workplace over the last year, but more can still be done.
“Encouragingly, our findings confirm that the importance of D&I policies is realised by employers and this is strongly backed up by employees, for whom it is more of a priority than it’s ever been.
“Although it may seem unclear what it will take for employers to enact stronger change, progressing their D&I strategy needs to be a priority. As a first measure, employers need to be sure they are communicating their efforts across internal and external channels and regularly emphasising successes and results.”
She added: “Furthermore, change happens when everyone works collectively, so employees should also be encouraged to get involved in initiatives they’re passionate about rather than reacting to an agenda driven solely from the top. Anyone looking for a new role ought to research a potential employer’s diversity and inclusion policies and seek evidence of where they champion those issues.”
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