Manage HR Magazine | Friday, May 28, 2021
I n the last few months, a slew of initiatives have been revealed, most of which are centered on companies’ attempts to have a positive and substantive effect on the communities in which they work as well as our larger society. While such “external” campaigns are commendable, advocates are beginning to urge businesses to look internally at their hiring practices to ensure their houses are in order, focusing attention on internal diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts. Here are three ways to assure affirmative action compliance:
Marshal the Necessary Resources
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The Department of Labor expects contractors to have a large, well-equipped affirmative action team at each site. While this presumption may be unreasonable in practice, it does pose the issue of whether businesses that dedicate only a small amount of personnel and resources to affirmative action will comply with the law’s intent or letter.
According to human resources leaders, affirmative action initiatives must have the funding, personnel, and help they need to be effective. That begins with being outspoken and reminding their company’s leadership of their presence and significance.
The next step is to determine what you require and then request it.
Be Self-Critical Consider new approaches after taking a rough, self-critical look at how the company has historically handled affirmative action compliance. Perhaps the usual way of handling affirmative action enforcement isn’t the standard we need.
Share Mindful Statements and Solutions
Companies are under enormous pressure to demonstrate to the rest of the world that they are committed to diversity and equality. Although several have issued statements on social media promising to promote more multicultural workplaces, others have announced bold proposals to recruit a certain number or proportion of black employees—a move that could cause others to perceive such employees as “affirmative action hires” rather than for their true talent and capability.
Professionals of affirmative action are aware of this, and they should be active in creating these programs and communications
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