Gender and race have been the at the forefront of recent commentary in my home country these days, as the democratic party is perhaps poised to give America its first woman or first black president. The candidates themselves, yes you know to whom I’m referring, have side-stepped the issue, and tow the line that it’s not a matter of gender or colour, but rather a best candidate race.
In the global labour market, it is no longer a matter of being ‘politically correct’. Laws and regulations exist worldwide prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, sexuality, disability, etc. ‘Equal opportunity employer’ is a nice way of giving reassurance, but in this regulatory climate, when it is virtually illegal to be anything but, why do organisations choose to promote themselves as such?
For segments of the population who have historically been at the back end of opportunities, this may still be a way to encourage talented individuals to apply for vacancies. With an increasingly global focus on industry, leading companies cannot afford not to embrace diversity, to broaden and deepen their corporate identity and operations.
For sectors like news and media, diversity is an essential part of staying competitive, and is perhaps why the
National Diversity Newspaper Job Bank has become such a comprehensive source for employers and jobseekers alike in news-related fields. The site is primarily aimed at women and minorities but really seeks to match skilled workers with organisations that know that the voice of one is trumped by the voices of many.