The issue of diversity in the workplace should be handled with careful consideration. Certain industries are dominated by particular groups, but there are inherent benefits to creating a more diverse workplace.
One example of an industry lacking in diversity is the tech sector. It is commonly known that technology is a field heavily dominated by males. Facebook’s recently released employee diversity report revealed that the company’s employees are 69 percent male and 57 percent white, according to Tech Crunch.
The article goes on to compare Facebook’s diversity results to those of Google, Yahoo and LinkedIn. It was revealed that all of these companies had employee populations that were mostly white, Asian, and/or male. Facebook’s tech workers were shown to be 85 percent male.
Why does diversity matter in the workplace?
Diversity promotes equality and opportunity. The hiring practices of HR departments play a direct role in determining what a workplace ends up like. Aside from promoting equal opportunity for all kinds of individuals, studies have actually shown that diversity is beneficial to companies.
For example, a study by McKinsey & Company found that as the number of women in the workforce increased over the last 40 years, it has led to roughly a quarter of the current GDP. Additionally, diversity lends itself to creating an increasingly qualified workforce by including workers from different backgrounds. This can be beneficial to companies looking to increase their share of the market, according to the Center for American Progress.
However, negotiating diversity issues can be a challenge. Ultimately, the person with the best skills and qualifications will be the best fit for the job. HR software solutions can help manage the details necessary to determine the right candidates.