A note from SmartRecruiters’ Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), Rocki Howard:
They say time flies when you’re having fun. The second quarter of 2021 is in full swing, and I’m excited to update our community today on what’s been happening with SmartRecruiters’ DEIB initiatives during Q1 2021.
When I joined SmartRecruiters in November, I was aware of our commitment to becoming an industry leader in minimizing discrimination and eradicating racism in recruitment. I am pleased to share that not only have we not wavered in this commitment, the desire to incorporate Diversity Hiring Success has permeated across our entire industry – partners, customers, and future customers alike. The momentum has not slowed – I’ve met with panels of CHROs, keynoted multiple conference events filled with TA leaders, and sat down with tight-knit communities of some of the brightest minds in the recruiting world who want to improve how they attract, select, hire, develop, and retain diverse talent. I want to be explicitly clear: welcoming SmartRecruiters as a supporting player into your organizations’ goals and your progress toward them – it is an honor and privilege that I do not take lightly. Thank you for your time, your transparency, and your vulnerability.
We know that DEIB is not a destination – it is a journey. Actually, it’s a complex journey – one that we are all on together.
The harsh reality is, according to Mathison’s 2021 Diversity Report, 50% of candidates still believe that being from an underrepresented group is a disadvantage to their goal of gainful employment. That’s why, as leaders in this space, we must continue to fight to humanize diversity. Diversity is more than a project plan or a checklist, it is the just way of life – the life of your colleague, of your friend, of me. If you’re facing diversity fatigue (yes, this is real), I challenge you to remember the faces of those around you who are affected when you have ‘yet another’ conversation.
This is a humanity issue. And this, this is worth solving. Together.
It’s with that spirit, that I humbly share our progress on SmartRecruiters diversity initiatives for the quarter.
-Rocki
DEIB Highlights for Q1 2021
- Participated in International Women’s Day by sharing a video from employees on why they ‘choose to challenge’ gender inequality and discrimination
- Launched our first SmartRecruiters ERG for those who identify as women or as allies of women headed by our own Sarah Callery with executive sponsorship by Frances Ibe
- Conducted our first diversity-focused employee survey
- Supported 400 organizations in assessing their Diversity Hiring Maturity through our Diversity Hiring Toolkit and related webinars
- Launched the SmartRecruiters’ diversity commitment and inclusive leadership commitments
- Focused on the mental health by launching wellness incentives, our mental health program, and conducting our first SmartRecruiters Listening Circle
- Created a virtual format to facilitate real-time diversity conversations, #SmarterInclusion
- Onboarded our new Director of Hiring Success, Holland McCue, who will drive improvements to SmartRecruiters diversity hiring maturity
- Hired 48% diverse (based on race and gender) colleagues in North America last quarter
What we’re focusing on next quarter:
- Launching SmartRecruiters’ Global Diversity Council
- Launching Inclusive Behavior training to all SmartRecruiters employees
- Launching Customer Diversity Group/Community
- Launching second ERG for those who identify as, or are allies of, the LGBTQ population
- Launching our industry benchmark State of Diversity Hiring Report
