Irish business leaders hoping workplace flexibility will lead to diversity boost

New research published by LinkedIn has revealed that over two thirds (68%) of Irish business leaders believe that flexible working arrangements offer an opportunity to improve the diversity of their workforce.   

Tapping into a bigger talent pool

The study also showed that the ability to tap into a broader talent pool is a key desire for Irish companies. Just over half (54%) of C Level executives think that hybrid and remote working options will appeal to a wider range of professionals, with one in two (46%) bosses hoping that they will be able to hire staff with new skill sets as a result.  

One of the key factors in achieving this is the ability to tap into talent from any corner of Ireland. Two fifths (41%) of firms said that virtual interviews means that they can talk to professionals who may not ordinarily have been able to come to the office as part of the recruitment process. 

The #GreatReshuffle

Organisations are experiencing a tumultuous period of change post lockdown due to the #GreatReshuffle as many professionals reevaluate where and how they work. Almost half (47%) of Irish business leaders surveyed flagged that they have lost talent to competitors over the past six months.

Companies that do not offer flexibility are those at most risk, with 36% of C Level executives surveyed revealing that job applicants had been put off by their firm’s workplace policy. 

In response, Irish business leaders are investing in their flexible working experience in order to retain and attract staff, with 90% of executives surveyed stating that they have hired or plan to recruit personnel to develop their flexible working policy, with 81% also investing in training courses to help managers, and employees collaborate and work effectively in a flexible working environment.

Question mark over long term commitment to flexibility

Despite the shift to hybrid and remote working, a question mark hangs over companies’ commitment to these workforce changes, with almost half of Irish bosses (46%) saying they will only offer this level of flexibility for the next few years.

More concerning, only approximately a fifth (17%) stated that they will only make hybrid or remote working available in the long-term. Only one in ten (11%) believe that workplace changes will be permanent.

A key factor driving this trend is the belief among business leaders that relationships with customers will suffer. The Irish data revealed that almost half of the bosses (49%) believed their customers may view their business as less engaged due to new ways of working. 

Commenting on the research findings, Lisa Finnegan, Vice President of LinkedIn’s International Human Resources organisation, said: “We believe that the jobs market in Ireland and internationally is experiencing a truly unique moment, which we have dubbed the Great Reshuffle as professionals rethink how and where we work.

“It presents opportunities and risks for Irish employers, with remote and hybrid working options giving employers the chance to attract people who have had to step out of the workforce like parents and carers back into full time employment. 

“At the same time, companies also need to recognise that people are looking for employers who will offer them the flexibility that they need to achieve work-life balance. As a result, we are seeing higher levels of people changing jobs and some professionals dropping out of interview processes when a firm’s workplace policy does not meet their needs.

“Some bosses believe that the changes we have experienced over the pandemic are only short term, but the reality is that change is here to stay and the organisations that will succeed into the future are those that put their people first.” 

To help organisations build inclusive workplaces, LinkedIn is:

— Enabling companies to share their return to office policies, benefits and requirements through their LinkedIn Company Page.

— Making a number of LinkedIn Learning courses available for free:

• Unconscious Bias 
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging 
• Skills for Inclusive Conversations
• Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers

To help people find jobs that match their working preferences, LinkedIn has launched:  

— New #OpenToWork profile photo frames to help members signal to hiring managers the hybrid, remote or onsite roles they are interested in. 

— Service Pages – a new way for members to set up and manage all their projects as a freelancer directly from their LinkedIn profile.