New Report Out Now!
Did you know that there are 3 million Australians looking for work or who want more work?
Probably not. In past months we’ve been focusing on the lowest unemployment numbers for 50 years – an historic dip of 3.5%.
This statistic, while significant, doesn’t tell the full story of Australia’s employment landscape. With a majority of those out of work belonging to marginalised communities, and with nearly a third of Australian businesses saying they can’t find the right people to fill roles, it’s more important than ever that the ‘whos’ and ‘whys’ of unemployment are teased out and examined.
New research out today from Diversity Council Australia (DCA) and sponsored by Jobsbank will help employers tackle this issue, by addressing outdated recruitment practices that are keeping willing workers left on the sidelines.
“More often than not, these potential workers belong to marginalised groups,” says DCA CEO Lisa Annese. “And not only are these workers being left off recruitment radars, they are experiencing bias and exclusion in the recruitment process itself – both covertly and overtly.”
The report, Inclusive Recruitment at Work, looks at the identity of overlooked and underleveraged potential employees on the sidelines of Australia’s labour market, what is preventing these people from being recruited, and – critically – what can be done to open up recruitment opportunities.
“From construction to cleaning, and from hospitality to healthcare,” says Jobsbank Interim CEO Graeme Kelly, “this report highlights what Australian businesses can do to recruit and retain talented and diverse workforces, improving their inclusivity and their bottom lines along the way.”
With five Guiding Principles for inclusive employment and an innovative lock-and-key framework showing how to overcome barriers to inclusive hiring, this report will become a crucial tool for businesses, employment services, community organisations and governments as they support the move towards fairer workplaces for hidden talent.
Access the report here.
About Jobsbank
At Jobsbank we are passionate about inclusion and the difference it makes – not just to one person, but to teams and whole organisations. We believe in an Australia where everybody belongs. That’s why we’re helping to build more inclusive workplaces one business at time. Whether you have specific focus areas or you’re looking to achieve transformational change – our services are tailored to meet your specific needs and provides you with the insights and tools to deliver sustainable solutions.
