In recent decades, technology has been at the forefront of driving critical changes in businesses. We have seen technology transform recruitment, introduce more transparent ways to manage employee engagement and now, technology is aiding diversity in the workplace. This has been evident by the reports of industry giants like Twitter hiring a VP of diversity and investing heavily in the area. By now, the benefits of hiring and cultivating a truly diverse and inclusive workforce have been well documented- and proven. Not only does it mean your company is 33 percent more likely to be above average profits, but it can also dramatically boost employee retention rates and lower your overhead costs. So how does technology fit into the workplace diversity transformation? By introducing new ways companies can eradicate workplace biases, providing innovative solutions to cultivating a more diverse workplace culture, and helping HR better identify any gaps in diversity within the company.

Eradicating Unrecognized Bias In The Recruitment Process With Talent Software

Today, 43 percent of D&I technologies are used in talent acquisition, particularly candidate sourcing. Historically, the presence of unconscious bias during recruitment has been argued as a barrier to building a more diverse workforce. Now, the shift to virtual interview and recruitment processes has meant companies can focus on attracting more diverse applicants and presenting an accessible recruitment process for all.

This has been aided greatly by the use of recruitment platforms like Workable and Seekout, which removes the task of manually scoring candidates. Some recruitment platforms also include blind recruiting, which means identifying data about candidates are anonymized, and hiring managers can focus on what matters- their skills, experience, and suitability for the role.

Boosting Employee Engagement And Representation With Virtual Inclusion Platforms

Technology is also helping to address the employee engagement issue in the workplace. Today’s workforce wants to be listened to and connected to their employer. Employees want to be assured that they are valued by employers and so are their cultural and demographic differences. By helping companies improve their approach to diversity, technology is indirectly helping them improve their employee engagement rate.

This is because recent research published by SHRM has shown that diversity and employee engagement are interconnected. This, in turn, is also improving the image of companies as employers. Around 67 percent of jobs seekers say diversity is important when considering employment opportunities. Employees also want to see representation at important junctures for a company, including C suite levels. The use of technology in building a space that is inclusive and welcoming of everyone- at every level cannot be understated. For the HR professionals, it is also becoming a map for understanding equity vs equality in the workplace and the transition from one to the other.

Helping HR Gain Insight Into Employee Satisfaction With Data Analysis

Last but certainly not least, technology is helping HR departments identify real-time employee satisfaction and dissatisfaction rates. A good example of this is the still existing wage gap in workplaces between genders or other demographic data. However, with the help of intelligent automation, remuneration packages can be designed to be more equal and reflective of the role, not the candidate’s background. In the long run, this also aids strategy planning and HR departments in assessing an employee’s merit for promotions, pay raises, and recognition in the workplace.Virtual working platforms are also opening doors for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

By allowing companies to provide flexible working and a variety of working arrangements tailored to their workforce, they are essentially widening their talent pool. For instance, workers with disabilities can now work from home when needed. Collaborative technology is also tackling worker isolation- a key issue in flexible and remote working setups. It is clear: the time to cultivate a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace is now. There is no doubt that as time and innovation go on, technology will have a major role to play in this task.