Are you seeking an employer that values diversity? You aren’t alone, and I suspect things will shift very much in that direction in light of the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. It’s important to note that racism and other forms of discrimination still limit access to higher-paying jobs for many, so the most progressive employers are consciously putting plans into action.
Strategic efforts around diversity equity, and inclusion have many benefits to the organization. Ample research shows that companies with diverse teams make smarter decisions and better investments, are more adaptable, and drive innovation. (For more, see Harvard Business Review.) Further, a 2023 Benevity survey found that 95% of people weigh a prospective employer’s DEI efforts when choosing between job offers with similar salary and benefits and that 78% would not consider working for a company that fails to commit significant resources to DEI initiatives. On a personal note, I am also aware of using my dollars more consciously in places that reflect my values, and I suspect you feel the same way. So it’s clearly to the benefit of an employer to consider these things!
If you’re looking for a new job at a place that matches your values, though, it can be confusing. I have often encouraged clients to look prospective employers yup online to see if there is a statement beyond the nondiscrimination one, and to see if there are photos that paint a picture of who the employees are. Tools like the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and Forbes’ Best Diversity Employers list are also helpful, but they don’t necessarily answer all your questions. And excitingly (at least to me) LinkedIn now has a feature that allows job-seekers to filter employers based on shared values.
Once you’ve filtered through these, though, I recommend you also add a personal touch. If you’re putting together a target employers list or applying for a particular job, reach out to people at the organization and ask your own questions around diversity. Ask for further connections within the company so you can ask your questions to several people. Ask about affiliation groups and community involvement. Listen for coded language, good and bad. When your contributions are valued, you will be able to do your best work!
