It just takes opening your eyes to see that both the global and domestic US labor market is 'less white" than it once was. As a matter of act, if yours is a global firm, according to a study conducted by Columbia University's Center for Work-Life Balance, white males represent just 17 percent of the global talent pool of individuals with graduate education. What a surprise (I hope you have noticed the sarcasm)! For women in almost all areas, their is the reality of coming up against "biological" issues/decisions and career. With that comes the challenge of returning to the workforce. Although almost all want to, most find it extremeely difficult to do so after a few years. Suddenly, these achievers have taken "memory lapse pills" that make their desirabillity as employees minimal. yes, for many who work in industries where revolutionary change occurs regularly like technology, returning to the workforce may mean that much of their previous expreience is less valuable. But how do they lose their business knowledge or their ability to manage staff or lead? How does a CPA suddenly lose their abillity to perform? How does your organization support a diverse population? Does it make re-entry programs available to female employees to return after several years of parenting? Are their training programs for foreign born employees at relatively junior levels to improve speech and writing skills necessary for professional success. Do you expect a fully finished product when you hire are you willing to make a small investment? And while we're at it, why does certain kinds of work need to be scheduled on Saturdays when it excludes certain workers? Can't Sundays be viable when non-religious Christians are impacted less than religious Jews? Organizations that look at the future and creatively explore alternative career pathing and aiding their employees in skills development will thrive during the next decade. How you persuade management to make investment in human capital will be paramount to success. How you change what has become second nature (like the Saturday work schedule) will go a long way toward helping you attract the excellent workforce you want. |
