Diversity and inclusion have always been important, but in today’s workplace, employees are paying special attention to how well their employers are succeeding in these areas. Why? Not only does research show that having diverse teams often leads to higher profits and better focus, but companies that do well by showing appreciation, fairness and respect to all employees stand to win the best talent.
With so many companies seeking to boost their employer brand by embracing diversity and inclusion, it’s sometimes hard to identify the ones that are genuinely committed to the cause. Luckily, prospective employees can get a read on who’s serious and who’s not just by paying attention to a few key signs.
Here are some signs to pay attention to.
1. Look at the job descriptions. As you search through the company’s job descriptions, pay attention to the language they use. Are they angling for a position to appeal to one gender over another? Do they emphasize the value they place on culture and diversity? Some of those cues can help you figure out whether or not the company is truly on board with diversity and inclusion. Also check out the company’s website and social media profiles. Do they talk about their commitment to diversity, inclusion and culture? Do they showcase testimonials from diverse sets of people within the company?
2. Find out what insiders say. One of the easiest ways to figure out what the culture at a company is to find out what current employees say. At Comparably, you can take a look at the reviews for hundreds of companies to determine how each one stacks up in terms of gender and diversity. As a side note, Comparably will also give you a peek into what people like you can expect in terms of salary, which is helpful for anyone looking to move into a new role.
Study: Are Companies Living Up to Their Values?
3. Check out the leadership. Most companies nowadays showcase their top leadership, and sometimes their boards of directors, on their company website. Take a look to see if there’s diversity in those ranks. While many companies have a ways to go before they have true parity in representation at their top ranks, the ones who have made even small steps toward diversity at the top are ahead of the pack.
4. Be strategic during the interview. The interview is a great place to get a read on company culture. During your interview, ask a question that gets the hiring manager to reveal more about what the company values. For example, “I know diversity is something the company values. How does that look in terms of real practices?” The key is to look for specifics — do they give examples of ways they celebrate diversity, or how women have been supported as they climb through the ranks? Many companies offer mentorship programs for women and underrepresented minorities, which is also a good sign. Overall, you want to see that the company is taking a proactive approach to not only increasing diversity, but increasing the quality of their diverse employees’ experience.
5. Look at the benefits. As the spotlight has shifted increasingly on inclusion, many companies have adopted benefits packages that offer paid maternity and paternity leave, child care, egg freezing and other perks designed to help women and others feel more supported. If your prospective employer seems to be making strides to offering at least some of these, it’s a good sign that they’re actively moving toward a more inclusive environment.
A company doesn’t have to check off all of these boxes, but they should check a few if they’re genuinely committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive environment.
