Diversity Hiring and Diversity Hire are two related but different concepts of employment and workplace diversity.
Diversity Hiring is the practice used by organizations to seek, recruit, and hire candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and demographics (like race, gender, etc.). On the other hand, Diversity Hire is a term that is used to describe a person who others think has only been hired because of their demographic characteristics and not because of their qualifications and skills.
What is Diversity Hiring?
Diversity Hiring means looking for candidates from different demographics to hire them in the organization. The basic motive behind diversity hiring is to form a workforce reflecting the diversity of society with numerous dimensions like gender, age, religion, ethnicity, race, disability status, etc. Organizations practice diversity hiring to increase creativity, innovation, and productivity because they know that people from different demographics can bring different ideas, perspectives, and approaches to decision-making and problem-solving. Usually, diversity hiring includes implementing strategies and programs that will attract candidates from underrepresented groups, so as to create an inclusive environment in which every employee feels respected and valued.
What is Diversity Hire?
The term ‘Diversity Hire’ can be interpreted in different ways. However, in general it is used to describe an individual who is perceived to be hired by an organization because of their demographic characteristics only instead of their merit. The demographic characteristics include race, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, etc. This term is often taken negatively as it usually means that an individual is hired to fulfill the organization’s diversity quotas or to represent themselves as inclusive.
Difference between Diversity Hiring and Diversity Hire
|
Basis |
Diversity Hiring |
Diversity Hire |
|---|---|---|
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Meaning |
Diversity Hiring is the practice used by organizations to seek, recruit, and hire candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and demographics (like race, gender, etc.). |
Diversity Hire is a terms which is used to describe a person who others think has only been hired because of their demographics characteristics and not because of their qualifications and skills. |
|
Objective |
Diversity Hiring aims at promoting equity, fairness, and inclusion in the organization. |
This term is usually used to question the ability of the individual hired because of his demographics. |
|
Strategy |
It includes implementation of strategies that will attract candidates from underrepresented groups of the society. |
It includes hiring people to accomplish diversity quotas and not because of their qualification. |
|
Approach |
It is a proactive approach as it aims at forming a diverse workplace. |
It is a reactive or negative approach as it only aims at fulfilling the diversity quotas. |
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Perspective |
It is seen as a positive step for creating an equitable workplace. |
It is often seen as a negative step as it may undermine the qualifications and skills of an individual. |
|
Intent |
The intention behind diversity hiring is to create an inclusive workplace and bring people with different ideas and perspectives. |
The intention behind it is to hire people from different demographics because of the external pressure to make a diverse workplace. |
Diversity Hiring and Diversity Hire – FAQs
Why is diversity hiring important?
Diversity Hiring is important to promote equity, fairness, and inclusion in an organization. With it, the organization can have people with different ideology, talents, and experience, resulting in creativity, better decision-making, and better problem-solving.
Name some strategies for diversity hiring.
Following are some of the strategies of diversity hiring:
- Creating Inclusive Job Postings
- Employee Referral Programs
- Diverse Interview Panels
- Training for Hiring Managers
- Pipelined Development Programs
- Continuous Evaluation and Improvement
Is being labeled as a diversity hire a positive thing?
Being labeled as a diversity hire can be a positive as well as a negative thing. On one hand, it appreciates the efforts made by the organization to promote diversity. On the other hand, it also means that an individual is hired because of the external pressure and not because of his skills.
Are diversity hires less qualified than other employees?
No, the diversity hires are not less qualified than other employees. They also possess required qualifications, experience, and skills. It’s just that the term diversity hire is often used in a negative sense.
What are some challenges associated with diversity hiring?
The challenges faced by organizations during diversity hiring includes Lack of Data, Hiring and Retention, Internal Resistance, Absence of Diversity in Leadership Roles, Absence of Tracking Mechanism, and Overlooking People with Disabilities.
How can we support diversity hiring efforts?
We can support diversity hiring efforts initiating inclusive hiring practices, avoiding biasness and discrimination at workplace, promoting diversity, and supporting diverse candidates at the workplace.