The focus on ED&I remains increasingly important to organizations within the Middle East and globally. When you are looking for a new role, there are some steps you can take to understand and recognize if a company actively prioritizes equity, diversity and inclusion as a part of their values and culture.
As a starting point, you can look at the website of the organization. Typically, there will be photos of employees as well as names and bios about their position. There will usually be an ‘about us’ section which can highlight metrics on diversity through hiring processes. You can also look at the mission statement and understand the core values of the organization, this will almost always have something related to ED&I, and will give you an understanding of how high it is on their list of priorities. Generally speaking, if an organization is practicing solid ED&I initiatives, they will showcase this through communication on their website.
Another identifying factor would be reviewing the employee benefits of a company. For example, what is the flexibility and hybrid working policy? These have become standard ‘benefits’ rather than things which set organizations apart. Other benefits to look out for may include mental health support, maternity and paternity policies and religious holidays. These factors can give you an idea of how seriously an organization is taking their ED&I initiatives.
Perhaps the most accurate, and direct, way to understand, is simply to ask the question during your interview or reach out to mutual connections who have more inside information. Typically, in an interview scenario, you are given the opportunity to ask questions. This is an ideal time to ask what training the business offers on ED&I, what initiatives are in place to encourage a diverse and inclusive workforce, and what are the most important values of the organization. If you don’t feel comfortable asking directly, it is always worth checking to see if you know anyone in the business or have any mutual connections with other employees. You can use LinkedIn as a starting point, and get some background information.
In working for an organization that values ED&I, you will be a part of a large pool of knowledge and awareness which can benefit and support you from both a personal and career growth perspective. Of course, you will understand best if you join the organization as an employee yourself, but there are steps that you can take to broaden your understanding whilst going through the interview process!
