Lexie Papaspyrou
Chief Operating Office, Tech Talent Charter
The pandemic opened the floodgates to a new era of remote working. People working in technology suddenly found themselves eligible for a whole new world of opportunities in the on-going war on talent.
No longer limited by location, recruiters and tech workers alike were suddenly game to woo and be wooed by companies that could offer the most powerful incentives. Alongside this seismic shift, pressure from another powerful movement is also gathering pace; that of creating an inclusive and culturally rich workplace where everyone feels valued.
Creating a diverse workforce
Today, getting a diverse workforce onboard is not just about fulfilling diversity recruitment quotas. It’s about bringing together people from all backgrounds to unleash a more dynamic workforce which in turns makes for better commercial output and increased gains and brings about positive change in society.
While recruitment is a good place to start, enterprises need to look beyond it to create a culture that inspires and celebrates diversity – and encourages its workforce to stay with the company. Today the battle lines are being drawn between how companies and employees view the best way to meet societal demand for a strong D&I position. But these lines are still varying shades of grey for many enterprises as opinion differs on how best to achieve this.
Getting a diverse workforce onboard is not just about fulfilling diversity recruitment quotas.
Bridging the tech gap
Tech companies are driving change in the D&I movement largely as a result of the ‘tech gap’; the surge in growth of tech roles and demand for people to work in the sector. This, together with the fact that the tech industry has established itself as a ‘cool’ sector to work in, is empowering it to attract and embrace a more diverse workforce from different cultural, industry and educational backgrounds.
While other industries are arguably ‘bolting’ diversity on to their recruitment policies because it’s the right thing to do, tech firms genuinely need the best talent and are actively exploring D&I strategies to best fill these roles. Tech employers are increasingly also seeking to ensure that all staff are supported and nurtured – and create a culture that attracts further talent to the enterprise.
It is early days even for tech companies in terms of achieving an inclusive workplace. We are yet to see the fruits of all the deep seeded activity here. But the diversity pioneers in tech have already made giant steps forward by embracing diversity and treating it as a critical success factor – rather than a recruitment tick box process.