How Can Technology Support Diversity in the Workplace?

How Can Technology Support Diversity in the Workplace

From elevating the standard of fairness to improving both employee happiness and business performance, here are insights into how technology can support diversity in the workplace.

Mitigating Unconscious Bias

One vital strategy for achieving greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace is mitigating the unconscious bias that often occurs during the hiring process. Unconscious bias happens when hiring teams make judgments and assumptions about candidates based on subjective information, such as common interests and background, instead of key competencies and potential for success.

Organizations need to take time to discover which specific parts of their recruiting and hiring processes are causing a lack of diversity and inclusion and make necessary adjustments. Using properly developed ethical AI in the recruiting and hiring process elevates the standard of fairness by identifying and mitigating bias from the start.

Through science-based pre-hire screening, interviewing and assessment tools, candidates are evaluated on objective information, including job-specific skills and behaviors most relevant to the role, making the hiring process ethical and fair, while also increasing retention.

Eric Sydell
EVP of Innovation, Modern Hire

Identifying Hiring Gaps

By using specialized software and leveraging available data, businesses can identify potential gaps in their hiring or employee advancement that may hurt diversity initiatives. For example, they can use sentiment analysis to detect subtle biases and blind spots, such as risk-aversion or unspoken bias among supervisors, that are otherwise difficult to pinpoint.

This uncommon example reveals the importance of proactively trying to identify sources of bias rather than simply relying on passive policies and procedures. Technology is an effective tool for businesses to evaluate their workplace environment, develop independent solutions and methods and take steps to reach diversity objectives.

Grace He
People and Culture Director, teambuilding.com

Supporting Human Connection Through Online Platforms

Work-from-home culture has become the new norm in most workplaces. It has sped up the hiring of diverse people from different corners of the world. However, training and development programs through online platforms have proved to be the best support to keep diverse people connected. Mentoring and coaching can help underrepresented minorities gain confidence.

Workshops can be conducted across the organization and on its different branches around the world. It helps to connect various types of employees regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religion and nationality. A business can easily support diversity in the workplace by providing training to employees who are far from the office and working remotely.

Even if they belong to different ethnicities and are living in different countries, they can still be part of the training through online platforms. Diversity and inclusion improve equality in your office. It is a great way to address biases in the workplace.

Saikat Ghosh
Associate Director of HR and Business, Technource

Simulating Real-Life Scenarios With Virtual Reality Programs

Technology can support diversity in the workplace‌ in a multitude of ways. One example is the use of virtual reality (VR) training programs that simulate real-life scenarios to help employees better understand different perspectives and experiences.

For example, a company can use VR to create immersive experiences that simulate the challenges that individuals from different backgrounds may face in the workplace. This can help to increase empathy and understanding among employees and foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

Another example of how technology can support diversity in the workplace is through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce bias in the hiring process. Businesses can program AI algorithms to eliminate bias by focusing on objective factors such as skills and qualifications rather than subjective factors such as age, gender or race. This can help to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Jason Moss
President and Co-Founder, Moss Technologies

Enhancing Workplace Accessibility

Technology can help make the workplace more accessible to employees with disabilities, which‌ helps to diversify a company’s workforce. Companies should continuously invest in technology that empowers employees with disabilities to perform their roles successfully daily.

The technology selected should address the specific impairment that an employee has for it to be useful. Assistive technology, such as trackballs, voice recognition software and screen readers, can help employees with disabilities execute their mandates effectively.

Will Baker
Founder, Skirtings R Us

Implementing Productivity Software

Businesses can improve their workplace environment for employees of various backgrounds. Regardless of age, race and cultural background, all employees will have access to tools that can reduce repetitive tasks without sacrificing quality.

There are also inclusion practices that you can integrate with technology to connect well with the target audience.

For example, Slack is a great way to improve communication, especially if you have employees from different parts of the world.

There is no need to exclude those who are not physically present because communication software tools bridge the gaps.

Becky Moore
Founder, Global Grasshopper

Providing Text-Based Communication for All

In today’s world, email and text messaging have become a baseline for communication. We rely on written text, reducing the influence of different language accents.

Also, fast-talking individuals can no longer exert as much authority in conversations. This gives everyone the same chance, especially those with autism or who need help to talk.

By utilizing text-based interaction, the time delay in communication allows recipients to interpret the information while avoiding the possibility of making false assumptions.

This mode of communication gives non-native speakers a fair chance to keep up with the pace of communication.

Research suggests that text-based communication can help non-native speakers keep up with the pace of communication, leading to better understanding and more positive perceptions.

Pete Evering
VP of Operations, Utopia Management

Leveraging Technology to Create Inclusive Job Descriptions

Using software that analyzes language and word choices in job descriptions is one efficient way to foster diversity in the workplace. This technology can help make sure that job descriptions are inclusive and aim, which can broaden the candidate pool and encourage fairness in the recruiting process.

Employers can use this software to lessen the effect of unconscious prejudices during the hiring process and increase the likelihood of hiring people from different backgrounds who might not have otherwise been hired. This may cause a more inclusive and varied workplace, which can improve both employee happiness and business performance.

Percy Grunwald
Co-Founder, Compare Banks

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