DEI
“Unique circumstances”
are human circumstances
Many organizations recently upped their commitment to hiring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) candidates. Unfortunately, diversity quotas have the potential to steer initiatives towards hitting marks in workforce data and overlook the goal of creating a diverse and inclusive company culture. A measure intended to level the playing field has the potential to put added pressure on DEI candidates. This needs to change.
Achieving equity in the workplace demands radical change in how we talk about work—and, in extension, ourselves.
Identity is not a statistic. It’s an integral part of one’s story. It can be a source of strength. If you are a DEI candidate, my goal is to help ensure that the totality of your experience is not only accurately represented, but celebrated. Were you the only black graduate in your MBA program? You understand more than derivatives. Teach yourself English at age 30? You have a different vision of life. Returning to work after two kids? You’re not just a mom - you’re a CEO.
I take pride in supporting the following communities.
Candidates of Color
Black and hispanic workers remain twice as likely to be unemployed as white workers—a pattern that has persisted in the United States for more than 40 years.
MOTHERS RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE
Over 3 million women left the labor force in March 2020-2021, an exodus that reflects persistent pay inequality and undervalued understanding of caregiving.
“OLDER” CANDIDATES
Age discrimination is more rampant than ever: 78% of older workers experienced age discrimination in the hiring process in 2020—compared to 61% in 2018. For the first time in half a century, people 55 and older lost their jobs at a higher rate than their younger counterparts.
TRANSGENDER & NONBINARY CANDIDATES
Transgender and nonbinary workers report unemployment at twice the rate of the population as a whole (14% vs. 7%). And, they are nearly four times more likely than the general population to have a household income of under $10,000 (15% vs. 4%).
WORKFORCE NOVICES
As of April 2021, 53% of recent college graduates were unemployed or underemployed. The average college graduate needs up to half a year to find their first employment. The adage, “you need a job to get a job” still rings true.
non-native english SPEAKERS
The resume sets many valuable candidates up to fail, and this is perhaps none more true than with non-native English speakers. Hierarchies based on fluency in English persist across the United States workforce and beyond.
DISABLED CANDIDATES
Only 34.9% of individuals with disabilities are employed in the United States, compared to 76% of their counterparts without disabilities. Despite legislation protecting disabled candidates, this disparity appears to be increasing over time.
Ready to work together? Remember, not everyone is worthy of telling your story. Get to know me first.
“Story is a yearning meeting an obstacle.”
— Robert Olen Butler