Today, many companies are working hard to promote diversity and inclusion. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that everyone is equally accepted or happy in the workplace. In fact, a recent report shows that almost half of all black workers are thinking of leaving. Learn more about the reasons for this statistic and find out how it could affect you.
In the current economy, there are more jobs than there are job-seekers. This climate means that people aren’t hesitating to quit their jobs if they’re not happy. But that alone isn’t the driving force behind this surprisingly high statistic. Something is making black workers unhappy in the first place.
Experts suspect that a hostile work environment is to blame, and the data backs up that statement. In one report, 43% of black workers were considering leaving their jobs because of microaggression from leadership or coworkers. In such a favorable job market, employees experiencing these microaggressions can quit and have confidence that they’ll find a new job.
There’s also the fact that the diversity initiatives of many companies aren’t in line with what black workers want. Due to a disconnect between employers and their employees, the diversity initiatives aren’t enough to create a balanced workplace. In some cases, companies don’t prioritize their initiatives enough. And in other cases, companies don’t have the right programs in place to satisfy the desires and needs of black workers.
It’s clear that almost half of all black workers aren’t happy in the workplace. But what would make them happy? By understanding what black workers are prioritizing, employers can make for a better and more productive workplace. Here’s a closer look at what job seekers want:
Fair compensation
Support from management
Advancement opportunities
Overall, black employees are frustrated by poor communication and a lack of opportunities. These are all issues that management can easily address. Black individuals who are looking for work are seeking out companies that offer pay transparency. In fact, 78% of black job seekers cited this as a priority. Other priorities include having a diverse leadership team and sharing personal and company values.
There’s a strong push in the community to bring an end to diversity initiatives that aren’t genuine. Although a company might have a diversity initiative, this doesn’t mean that the company enforces it or believes in it. One study revealed that 24% of black workers think that DEIB attempts aren’t genuine.
To increase worker satisfaction, companies can change the focus of their diversity initiatives. Currently, most companies prioritize diverse hiring practices, having diversity committees, and hosting awareness events. But that’s not what black workers want.
If companies instead focus on pay transparency, more flexibility, and increased representation, they could attract and keep more black workers. As an added benefit, they would have more productivity. It’s no secret that happy employees are more productive.
Because black workers aren’t happy with the current diversity initiatives, workers and employers alike suffer. Black job seekers aren’t applying for certain jobs because the companies don’t appear to be inclusive enough. In some cases, these companies are trying to be inclusive but aren’t taking the right steps to do so.
Meanwhile, companies that aren’t making efforts to be inclusive and promote diversity are struggling to fill vacancies. With job vacancy rates already high, this refusal to adapt and embrace diversity is hurting some companies. The companies that are making the right efforts have the reward of fewer vacancies and happier employees.
It’s important to mention that black workers still face discrimination during the hiring process. Once again, this hurts the company in that it prioritizes hiring a certain demographic over skilled employees.
If you don’t want to be unhappy in the workplace, you may need to look for a company that truly values diversity and inclusion. But this isn't as easy as it sounds. When you’re looking for a new job, you should do all of the following:
Although this tip is obvious, it deserves a mention. You should never assume that a company values diversity and inclusion. Even if someone tells you the company prioritizes diversity, you should do your own research. Check out their website, mission statement, and social media. Does the company mention anything about diversity or inclusion? If not, they probably don’t make it a priority.
When you look at a company’s social media, pay attention to the pictures. Look for diversity and comments on inclusion. The social media accounts and website of a company can speak volumes.
A company might claim to value diversity, but not actually prioritize it. To find out if a company is all talk, you should speak with current employees. If you know anyone who is a current or former employee of the company in question, reach out to them. Ask them to share their experiences and base your decision on that.
If you don’t know anyone from the company, play detective. Look for employee reviews and check out the social media profiles of current employees. Doing so should give you some insight into the company culture.
You can use your interview as an opportunity to learn more about a company’s inclusion and diversity initiatives. During your interview, you should consider asking the following questions:
When you ask the questions above, pay attention to the way in which the hiring manager handles them. If they seem uncomfortable, the company might not be a good fit for you.
In this labor market, you can afford to wait for the right job offer. If you notice any red flags or have a bad feeling about a company, continue with the interview process. Don’t settle for a company that doesn’t care about inclusion, equality, or diversity.
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