Affirmative action is more than just a buzzword. Implementing affirmative action in the workplace can have life-changing effects on the overall satisfaction and culture of your organization. If you are unfamiliar with how affirmative action works, especially in the workplace, then keep reading for a helpful guide from the experts at Prescott HR.

What is affirmative action?

Affirmative action is the implementation of policies that advance minorities, including women, people of color, and disabled individuals. Organizations can implement affirmative action plans to ensure that their office is proactively recruiting, retaining, and promoting minorities for a more diverse team. Affirmative action policies began in the 1960s when it became clear that anti-discrimination laws alone were not being used to their full effect.

Why should businesses have affirmative action?

Organizations can implement an affirmative action plan at their workplace to help ensure more diversity for their team. Implementing a more diverse workplace can help create an environment rich in unique ideas and perspectives. Studies have shown that a more diverse workplace can increase employee retention and overall satisfaction. Including that your organization prioritizes an affirmative action plan during the recruitment process can also help attract top talent to your team.

How can your business implement affirmative action?

Now that you’ve grasped the importance of affirmative action in the workplace, here are several examples of how your organization can implement affirmative action:

• • Remove biased hiring barriers: Implementing an affirmative action plan can force your operational team to sit down and evaluate any barriers to entry that your recruitment process may have. Sit down to discuss each avenue of your hiring process to ensure that minority parties would not be discouraged from applying to your organization.
  • Evaluate your current employees: An easy exercise to kickstart your affirmative action plan is to take a look at your current team. Use data to evaluate if any members of your team are struggling with advancement, retention, or stalling in their roles. 

• Set new goals: If you want to increase diversity within your organization, then set new goals for your recruitment process. Put a quantitative goal in place, like hiring 30% more female employees on your team than the current number. 

• Look for new ways to recruit: If your organization needs more diversity, then consider hiring in different ways outside of your usual search. Look for hiring events aimed toward minorities. An example is placing a hiring ad in a business publication with a strong female readership.

• Constant evaluation: If you are serious about wanting to implement affirmative action within your organization, then your management team needs to constantly evaluate its efforts to improve diversity. Establish monthly or quarterly meetings to ensure that your goals are being met.

Work with Prescott HR

Does your organization need help with implementing an affirmative action plan? We are here to help! Prescott HR offers a wide range of services that can help your organization evaluate your current policies and incorporate new ones, as needed. Our unintimated HR practices allow us to be focused and effective, providing your business with precisely what you need. Give us a call today at 443-351-8818 or contact us online.