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This International Women's Day, we interviewed some of our team asking them to share their thoughts on how we can #BreakTheBias.
We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
#BreakTheBias with Tara Robinson, principal consultant at Eames Consulting in the UK.
1. Within your market / industry sector, what progress have you seen businesses take to progress gender equality?
I focus on hires across the governance functions within the insurance sector and it’s great to see that many of the organisations that we work with are now requesting ‘anonymous/blind’ resume submissions, balanced shortlist and are tracking applications. Where this is not possible clients are asking for commentary and context to understand the challenges and potential solutions.
2. What is one action companies can take to further balance their talent attraction strategies?
Promoting flexible and agile working options. Firms need to be transparent in sharing the support and benefits they offer throughout the recruitment process, especially related to working parents, and not just at the offer stage.
3. What is your top advice for making job descriptions more inclusive?
Consider the language being used, words such as ‘competitive’, ‘confident’, ‘independent’ may be off-putting for some applicants, considering more positive and inclusive language to appeal to a broader range of candidates.
4. How can organisations support their employees in raising awareness against bias?
Listening, asking for feedback from employee network groups, considering alternative mentoring formats such as reverse mentoring schemes.