Tokyo, June 6, 2012 - (JCN Newswire) - A disconnect exists between the perceptions of female employees and their employers with regards to diversity, according to a survey by Hays Specialist Recruitment Japan KK ("Hays"). The survey of hiring managers and female candidates on the topic of diversity found that 70% of companies say they have a diversity program in place, yet 63% of female employees say their company is not taking steps to create a diverse workforce. In addition, for 67% of organisations, women account for less than 20% of management staff, yet 61% admit that improved gender equality could help fill the skills gap.
Based on these results, Hays offers the following five solutions to effectively promote diversity:
1. Develop a thorough and well communicated diversity strategy - The gap between management perception and employee sentiment shows that either organisations lack a diversity strategy or they are not communicating it effectively. If organisations are serious about bridging the diversity divide and recruiting the best people – regardless of gender or age – the first step is to create and communicate a diversity strategy.
2. Communicate the career paths available to all staff - A staggering 46% of female candidates have changed jobs in the past five years to advance their career, while 65% have felt disadvantaged against male counterparts. Hays advises employers to clearly communicate to all staff the career path available to them. Hays recommends sitting down with employees individually to discuss career paths, goals, and development opportunities.
3. Provide female role models and develop women into leadership positions - 66% of employers admit that they do not have processes in place to encourage women to develop into management positions. To improve this, Hays advises employers to train all managers in the value of a diverse workforce and provide them with strategies to develop female staff into management roles. This includes the establishment of steering groups and mentorships and coaching or networking programs, to discuss career paths, access career development and settle into new roles.
Hays also advises employers to utilise metrics to measure female representation in the business, ensuring that the number of women in senior management reflects the total number of women employed – young women look to experienced female role models.
4. Create a culture that promotes diversity and gender equality - The adoption of diversity strategies presents a challenge in some companies. Indeed, if managers and employees are not receptive to diversity, a cultural shift must take place. Unless effectively utilised, talented and ambitious female employees will seek a new opportunity, in an environment where they believe men and women are treated equally.
5. Adopt policies that support working parents - 72% of female candidates surveyed do not believe that government legislation on discrimination in Japan encourages women to consider balancing a career and a family. Hays advises employers to review work/life balance initiatives. Can you accommodate flexible or reduced working hours, childcare provision, internal support and flexibility when children are sick? Companies with such policies are rewarded with dedicated employees who appreciate the support.
Hays' diversity survey canvassed over 1,000 hiring/line managers and female candidates from 23 April to 7 May who Hays placed or who were actively looking for a new role in the last two months of 2011.
Hays, the world's leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.
REFERENCE:
Other findings from Hays's female candidate diversity survey:
- 20 per cent of employers said gender is usually a factor when making a hiring decision;
- Yet 70 per cent said they proactively seek to attract female as well as male candidates;
- The same 70 per cent said their company has a diversity program;
- 89 per cent have processes and practices in place to support women returning to the workplace after maternity leave;
- 79 per cent offer flexible working options to employees who are parents;
- 42 per cent have a strategy in place to retain female employees, but the remaining 58 per cent do not;
- When asked what percentage of management staff are female, 67 per cent said less than 20 per cent. 20 per cent said between 21-40 per cent of management staff are female, 10 per cent said between 41-60 per cent are female, and the final 3 per cent said 61 per cent or more of managers are female;
- 33 per cent said they have processes and practices in place to encourage women to develop their career into management, but 67 per cent do not.
- Given Japan's aging population and skills shortages, 61 per cent said improved gender equality could help fill the skills gap.
About Hays
Hays, the leading global specialist recruiting group, is expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Japan KK ("Hays") has been operating for more than a decade and is the largest foreign recruitment company in Japan. Hays operates across the private sector in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. Hays are the only foreign recruitment company in Japan to operate specialist business units composed of professionals with experience and expertise in the sectors they cover. Hays Japan's thirteen specialisms span Accountancy & Finance, Banking, Finance Technology, Human Resources, Hays Resource Management, Information Technology, Insurance, Legal, Life Sciences, Office Professionals, Property, Sales & Marketing and Supply Chain.
Hays are also the only foreign recruitment company in Japan to operate three local offices, serving the Kanto region from Akasaka and Shinjuku, and Kansai from central Osaka.
Hays Japan is the local representative office for Hays plc, which is a global company with more than 7,800 staff operating from 245 offices across 33 countries. Hays also operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK and the USA.
Contact:
Keiko Asakura
Hays Japan
Marketing Manager
+81 3 3560 2813
Keiko.Asakura@hays.co.jp
June 6, 2012
Source: Hays
Hays
From the Japan Corporate News Network
http://www.japancorp.net
Topic: Press release summary
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