Companies can benefit from diversity efforts, according to findings from a recent survey by Jobcase. The survey revealed most jobseekers take into account a company’s inclusion and diversity policies when looking for a new job.
The majority of respondents who identified as LGBTQ+ (84%), people of color (78%), and women (74%) said they consider an employer’s diversity efforts when looking for work. A smaller percentage of men (60%) and white men (52%) said they consider such efforts.
According to Gerry Brun, head of member products at Jobcase, the results show that diversity, inclusion and equity are not simply buzzwords, but markers of good corporate practices. “As a person of color and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I feel personally inspired by these findings because they show that diversity is a real asset,” he said.
Six in 10 respondents said that diversity gives companies a competitive advantage, including 63% of LGBTQ+ respondents, 61% of people of color, and 58% of women. Over half (58%) of white male respondents said they recognized the benefits of diversity, but they don’t necessarily seek it out. Only 24% of white men seek employment at companies that have openly LGBTQ+ executives, and only 27% seek work with companies that have people of color in leadership positions.
Still, many respondents reported equity and inclusion challenges in the workplace — 46% of women, 54% of the LGBTQ+ community, and 46% of people of color said they have experienced discrimination in the workplace. On a positive note, the majority of people in all groups said their company is committed to diversifying its workforce.
Fred Goff, co-founder and CEO of Jobcase, summarized the findings by saying, “This past year has taught us all that we have to do more than just say the right things – and white people, in particular, need to work together with everyone else in making sure we are delivering meaningful change…Businesses that will best succeed in this century are those that build and empower a workforce that reflects and understands the world in which we operate. Embracing DEI is not just the right thing to do ethically, it’s also the prudent thing to do to grow a business.”
