Diversity and Selection Process – 70% of companies use as criteria

In recent times, more and more companies have taken on their role in contributing to increasing diversity within the job market. 

And seeing most companies active in the market adopting this stance is a very good thing, if we compare it to the presence of diversity years ago, which was much lower than it is today.

It was with this in mind that we chose today's theme!

In this content, we will talk about the presence of diversity within companies and its importance in the selection processes that are part of the corporate routine.

The material, which will be divided into topics, will cover the following subjects:

• What is diversity?
• The importance of diversity in selection processes
• The growth of companies that use diversity as a criterion
• The application of diversity in all sectors of the company
• The role of HR in diversity
• Conclusion

What is diversity?

This is perhaps the topic that has been most present in the media – such as TV and social networks – in recent years.

In general terms and based on corporate reality, diversity consists of the coexistence of individuals who are different in the most diverse aspects.

This includes factors such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social class, age, culture, etc. 

In addition to being a growing trend in the job market, when applied in the corporate world, diversity helps to create a healthier and more plural work environment.

Furthermore, the presence of a more diverse team encourages the exchange of experiences between the most diverse professional profiles.

The importance of diversity in selection processes

We know that the professional trajectory – starting from the moment you enter the job market – can be a path full of adversities for a good portion of the population. 

It doesn't take much research to know that, unfortunately, not all sectors of our society have the same opportunities. 

While certain groups have easier access to employment and study opportunities, there is another part of the population that does not have the same facilities, making the path to professional success much more difficult.

That is why diversity is so important for institutions to incorporate when hiring.

This type of initiative has a huge impact on combating social inequality in our society, showing how diversity is a criterion that should be increasingly used by companies when assembling their team of employees.

The growth of companies that use diversity as a criterion

Did you know that the number of companies that structure their selection processes using diversity as a criterion has shown significant growth in recent times?

Studies show that around 701,000 companies have already integrated diversity as one of the main pillars during the selection process.

By using diversity as one of its criteria, in addition to playing a very important social role in combating social inequality that occurs in Brazil – and also in the rest of the world, companies also benefit.

By opting for a more diverse team of employees, the company is also investing in its own performance. By promoting this type of policy, companies are investing in new ways and points of view, since they have a diverse team ready to offer new solutions to any obstacles the company may face. 

And many of these solutions presented are only possible due to the diversity of the team and the different experiences and ways of thinking. 

The application of diversity in all sectors of the company

It is also important to highlight that diversity is something that needs to be applied in all sectors of a company, from the most operational positions, through managers and leadership positions and up to the board of directors.

When a company has a more diverse board of directors, the chances of policies that encourage diversity being adopted increase exponentially.

This is one of the aspects that encompass diversity: providing opportunities and opening doors for professionals who, due to a series of factors, end up not having the same opportunities as others.

And that makes all the difference in these people’s lives.

The role of HR in diversity 

With one of the most fundamental roles in the search for diversity within the company, the Human Resources sector is one of the main protagonists when we address diversity and the selection process. 

Whether by contributing to the construction of a selection process, in the recruitment stage and even in the applicability of internal actions and policies – such as lectures, workshops and training – that aim to promote the concept of diversity among employees.

The most important thing is that, as a gateway for new employees, the Human Resources department knows how to apply the concept of diversity in the best possible way. 

In this way, HR will ensure that opportunities are given to the most diverse types of professionals, resulting in a more diverse team of employees ready to grow alongside the company. 

Conclusion

Although most companies are committed to promoting more diversity in their selection processes – and, consequently, in the structure of their teams – this is an act that deserves full recognition, there is still much to be done to reach an ideal level for everyone.

There is still a lot of discrimination when it comes to hiring and selection processes – even if it occurs in a more veiled way. 

This means that, in addition to having to deal with adversities throughout their lives, these people also have to face different types of situations imposed by companies that are still resistant to the concept of diversity.  

Therefore, this increase in diversity is a big step towards the ideal scenario, but we are still far from getting there.

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Nathalia Silva November 22, 2021