How to Best Achieve Diversity in the Workplace

Over the past several years, there has been a global push to increase diversity in the workplace.

And while many tech companies have placed more emphasis on their efforts to increase diversity, experts say there’s still much work to be done.

While the road to equity in Tech is paved with unique challenges, companies, and employers would be wise to invest heavily in their diversity efforts.

How does workplace diversity benefit companies?

Studies show that executive teams that are highly gender-diverse are 21% more likely to surpass profit projections.

Yet, as we’ve already seen across the gender gap in tech, for every 100 men given a managerial promotion, only 85 are women, 71 Latinas, and only 58 black women.

If you would like to ensure the success of your company, you can no longer avoid diversifying your workforce. Now is the time to uncover how to attract, hire, and retain more diverse talent.

Best ways to achieve diversity in the workplace:

Now that it’s clear how much diversity can impact your bottom line, your company will need to develop or adopt new strategies to help attract and retain the professionals you need to onboard.

Here are a few strategies you can implement to ensure you’re achieving more diversity in tech: 

1. Involve the C Suite in diversity programs

If your company is looking to attract a more diverse pool of professionals, change will need to start from the top.

Your current employees must know that the C-suite is not only completely bought on this idea but that they are willing to invest and support women, LGBTQ+ employees, and employees of color.

Once it’s clear your executive leadership team is prioritizing diversity and inclusion, you’ll begin to see these priorities trickle down into the field when hiring.

2. Employee-led diversity in the workplace

Diversity and inclusion should be a responsibility that falls on everyone’s shoulders. Just as you’ll need buy-in from your c-suite, you will need employee buy-in.

When employees are on board with workplace diversity, they are more receptive to diversity initiatives, respectful workplace training, and other efforts put in place to diversify the workforce. They may even take the initiative to lead diversity initiatives themselves.

3. Addressing bias in the workplace

Freada Kapor Klein, a partner at venture capital firm Kapor Capital, weighed in on tech’s diversity problem and went on to say that even Tech giants like Apple, Facebook, and Google continue to fail at diversity because they fail to address their biases.

To truly make the change needed to attract a diverse group of professionals, you will need to address, discuss, and unlearn the biases in your hiring practices, work culture, and overall enterprise goals.

4. Hire a Chief Diversity Officer for workplace diversity

What’s a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)? These are the execs responsible for removing biases and garnering employee buy-in.

Hiring a CDO will help you cultivate an inclusive team of in-demand talent but will also help retain these professionals by ensuring they feel respected, supported, and, most of all, heard.

Why is workplace diversity necessary?

Diversifying your staff will produce an inclusive culture that inspires and encourages employees to do their best work each day without the threat of discrimination or harassment.

Not to mention, your underrepresented employees won’t look for new opportunities if they feel you respect them and provide them with opportunities for personal and professional growth based on skill.