WHAT IS ACCESSIBLE RECRUITMENT?
For a workforce to become diverse an organisation first needs to have a recruitment practice which is truly inclusive and accessible. Inclusive recruitment is that which creates a diverse workforce by removing barriers to people based upon their race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or their physical or mental condition.
Microlink’s primary expertise lies in helping people with disabilities, we champion a holistic, intersectional approach which acknowledges that truly equitable recruitment is impossible without a level playing field for all.
An accessible recruitment process involves many different factors. These include but are not limited to:
- Specialist training for recruitment staff
- Clear and accessible language in job advertisements
- Sensitive and fair interview practices
- Fair Assessment Centres
- Inclusive onboarding
Underlining all these factors is a need for clear communication and transparency. A truly accessible recruitment process attempts to understand the specific needs of potential employees. It gives all candidates who might have come into the process at a disadvantage an opportunity to request and receive any help or adjustment they need, thereby guaranteeing a level playing field for all.
WHY IS ACCESSIBLE RECRUITMENT IMPORTANT FOR YOUR ORGANISATION?
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the landscape of employment and recruitment. With a dynamic, moving employment market it is more important than ever that companies seize the opportunity to create inclusive and accessible recruitment processes.
There are several reasons as to why all organisations, both public and private, should be making inclusive recruitment an immediate priority, including, for example the need for legal compliance. However, the best reason is that by doing so you can access a far larger pool of talent than competitors who do not. Overwhelming data supports the fact that diverse workforces are more productive, boast a wider set of strengths and display increased employee satisfaction. It follows then, that if your recruitment process presents barriers to certain individuals, whole swathes of talented people will be blocked from applying to work for your organisation.
Conversely, by making recruitment accessible your organisation will increase the chance of finding the perfect candidate for a role while increasing the happiness and productivity of the staff you already have.
