Actively Improving Gender Balance in Recruitment

Authored by Kurt Gillam, Executive General Manager, PERSOLKELLY Australia

Fostering gender balance in recruitment is crucial in today’s competitive job market, not only from a moral standpoint but also as a strategic advantage. At PERSOKELLY, we’ve implemented a comprehensive strategy to ensure that our recruitment processes are inclusive, fair, and appealing to diverse talent. We work closely with our clients to develop tailored approaches that promote a more balanced and diverse workforce.

Our approach includes the following key points:

1. Consulting from the outset: Our consultants work closely with clients to review job descriptions and criteria, eliminating potential biases from the start.

2. Using inclusive language: We craft job descriptions free of gender-biased language, ensuring broad appeal to diverse talent.

3. Diverse imagery and advertising: Our job adverts feature a variety of imagery representing both genders to convey our commitment to inclusivity.

4. Targeting returners to the workforce: We encourage job share opportunities and flexible working arrangements to attract those returning to the workforce.

5. Inclusive interview panels: We ensure diverse interview panels and implement blind recruitment processes to reduce bias.

6. Expanding sourcing strategies: We post job openings on platforms that cater to diverse groups and partner with organizations promoting gender diversity.

7. Educating hiring teams: We train our recruitment teams and hiring managers to recognize and mitigate unconscious biases.

8. Standardised processes: We implement structured interview processes to ensure fair and consistent evaluations of all candidates.

9. Showcasing an inclusive culture: We highlight our commitment to diversity and inclusion through our employer branding, including successful women in leadership roles and fair compensation practices.

10. Success in Future Scientist program: Our program promotes strong female representation in STEM fields.

11. Addressing gender bias in customer requests: We strive to educate customers about the benefits of a balanced workforce, despite encountering requests for specific genders for certain positions.

12. Standing against violence against women: We are committed to combating violence against women, reflecting our dedication to creating a safe and supportive workplace for all.

PERSOLKELLY’s comprehensive approach to increasing gender balance in recruitment demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusion.