As a leading recruiter of ERP professionals for consultancies, companies and financial institutions around the world, Maximus is completely committed to the concept and practice of workplace diversity.
What is workplace diversity and why is it so important?
Workplace diversity results when an organisation creates an environment of opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, colour, physical capability or sexual orientation. Diversity is most definitely not just about positive affirmation or the avoidance of discrimination and most practitioners are consequently very wary of promoting or appointing on a quota basis. The key drivers behind diversity are:
1) Talent acquisition and retention – As Abbas Jaffer, one of the leading proponents of workplace diversity in Europe puts it, “No organisation can be complacent about the nature of top talent, because the old perception of key people being white, middle class males is being swept away. Brains don’t have a colour and ability is distributed right across the ethnic spectrum. It means that, if we want to be identifying, attracting and developing the best people, we simply can’t afford to be hampered by outdated ideas.”
2) Mirroring the client/customer base – Multi-national organisations deal with a multi-national customer and client base. The workforce needs to reflect this at all levels for two specific reasons. First, because people like to deal with people like themselves. Second, because it helps the organisation to better understand the needs and goals of all its stakeholders.
3) Legislation – The UK and USA have very strong anti-discrimination legislation which is slowly but surely spreading around the world. Organisations that ignore or fail to anticipate the development of workplace diversity may consequently find themselves falling foul of the law.
How Maximus embraces the concept of workplace diversity…..
Internally
In order to continue provide the high levels of service that our clients and candidates have come to expect, we need to be able to recruit and retain the very best people in our industry. To accomplish this we are constantly striving to maintain a culture of true equality of opportunity, which is blind to the gender, ethnic origin, physical capability or sexual orientation of the individual.
Externally
Interviewing and selection – Maximus’ interview and selection processes are strictly competency based. Consultants are trained to look at an individual’s qualifications, technical and inter-personal skills, goals and ambitions. Creed, colour, gender, physical capability and sexual orientation are regarded as completely superfluous considerations.
Candidate sourcing – Maximus uses all traditionally effective sources of accessing candidates, such as advertising in key journals and on leading web portals, direct marketing and networking. In addition to this the firm is always researching and utilising new sources of talent to ensure we are reaching all sections of the potential candidate pool.
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