Dive Brief:
- Gender parity in hiring is improving, recruiters reported in a recent Scout Exchange survey.
- Respondents reported increased demand for women in C-suites, along with higher wages. Using data from its recruitment marketplace, the firm also noted that in executive positions that pay at least $150,000, there was a 41% jump in the ratio of female to male hires made after October, "correlating with the start of the global #MeToo movement."
- In addressing trends, 60% of respondents said diversity recruiting is a top priority for some or all of their clients.
Dive Insight:
As gender discrimination claims remain in the spotlight — particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement — many hope that increasing female representation in executive and managerial positions may be one way to reduce and prevent claims.
As part of that effort, employers also are working to reduce their gender pay gaps; expanding their caregiver leave offerings; and implementing implicit bias and sexual harassment training.
Training, in particular, has been a priority for employers. Vendors in the space are reporting drastic increases in requests, and they're responding with new, more relevant offerings. Still, experts say employers must back up training with policies and enforcement to curb pervasive workplace problems like harassment.
