Recruiting

Hiring is the first workplace dignity touch point. The element of inclusion should be factored in when looking for talent, planning outreach, reviewing applications, designing the interview and hiring processes, and more.

The recruiting process is a dignity-advancing organizational opportunity.

Hiring processes offer a clear starting point for advancing workplace dignity. The dignity-honoring element of inclusion is a key factor here—organizations should consider where they look for talent (seeking to reach untapped labor pools), how they reach out to potential candidates, what signals they send with the application, how they conduct interviews, and more. Dignity-centered recruitment pushes back on “hard-to-find” tropes (relating to under-represented groups), and consistently sees and appreciates the full individuality and experiences of all candidates, wherever they might be, and what they can add to organizational culture (as opposed to a rigid focus on “fitting in” to it), as well as unique needs they may have during the process, and what may be front of mind for them as individuals.

The key organizational functions that play a role:

  • Talent acquisition/recruiting, operations

  • Human resources partners to talent acquisition/recruiting (such as HR business partners, people analytics, people operations)

  • Communications teams

  • Inclusion and diversity teams

  • Hiring managers

What the organization can do: Actions

1. Communicate the importance of dignity, including inclusion, to the recruiting team and hiring managers.

2. Use inclusive job descriptions and applications that don’t discourage qualified applicants.

3. Expand the pool of talent you are actually seeing and considering.

4. Prioritize the candidate experience and offer process.

5. Reduce challenges that people with impairments (e.g. to sight, hearing, mobility, cognition) might face during the process.

6. Invest in the dignity preparedness of your interviewers and interview process.

7. Be prepared to pivot when external events (public health crises, acts of violence against a community, economic downturn) encroach on the work experience.

8. Appreciate those who support recruiting efforts.

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