Perceptions of ‘unfair barriers’ to career profession persist: Hays

Sixty three per cent of Australian professionals believe their career progression has been limited – at one or more points – because of their sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, gender or a disability, according to a Hays report.

The findings – outlined in the 2018-19 Hays Diversity Inclusion Report – reveal the figure was even higher for respondents living with a disclosed disability (83 per cent), women (77 per cent) and people who identify as LGBTIQ+ (67 per cent). The recruiter surveyed over 1,000 working professionals across Australia and New Zealand as part of its report to identify key diversity and inclusion considerations.

“Our survey shows that perceptions of unfair barriers to career progression persist in Australian workplaces,” said Hays A/NZ managing director Nick Deligiannis.

“Most organisations would be quick to refute any suggestion that their employees’ progression is limited due to gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability or socio-economic background. However, they should be aware that these perceptions do exist amongst the wider employee population.

“Employees should feel confident to express this sentiment, and there should be a process in place for any feedback to be responded to and acted upon where appropriate,” Deligiannis said.

The report also found that half (51 per cent) of all survey respondents said career development conversations with their line manager are open and transparent.

This figure drops to 48 per cent of women (compared to 55 per cent of men), 47 per cent of mature-age people and 37 per cent of people living with a disclosed disability. In other key findings, 40 per cent of all survey respondents believe they are more likely to be promoted if they have a similar socio-economic background to the organisation’s management.

The report also reveals that half (50 per cent) of survey respondents said their leaders have a bias towards those who look, think or act like them. People living with a disclosed disability are the most likely to believe this bias exists (66 per cent).

Meanwhile, 56 per cent of all respondents said there had been an occasion where they felt that their chance of being accepted for a job was lowered because of their sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, gender or disability.

This figure was even higher among respondents living with a disclosed disability (83 per cent) and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ (65 per cent), the report said.

In order to help combat the problem, Deligiannis said companies need to source talent from the widest possible pool, “acting to mitigate bias throughout the talent selection process by involving a range of diverse stakeholders when reviewing and selecting CVs, and includes diversifying your interview panel.”

He said data should be used to enhance career development programs.

“For example, demographic diversity data (baseline workforce demographics across factors such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation) can highlight if there is an issue with the promotion of employees from traditionally underrepresented groups.

“Organisations should also clearly communicate their commitment to offering career progression opportunities to all, and have clearly defined progression pathways and transparent objectives. This ensures all staff are aware that their personal career progression is tied to specific aspects of their performance, which will only be assessed on merit.”