54% companies in India optimistic about their diversity efforts: Report

Over half of the employers (58 percent) confirm building trusting relationships with teams within the organization is helping support the recruitment and retention of all genders more equitably.

Fifty-four percent of employers in India expressed optimism about their company’s diversity initiatives, according to research conducted by workforce solutions firm ManpowerGroup.

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives are on track to increase women's participation at different levels, way above the global average of 46 percent. The survey that examined 3,150 Indian employers, revealed more employers are taking active measures to promote equity through progressive policies, upskilling, and flexibility.

The Information Technology (IT) sector with 58 percent of employers expressing optimism, leads the way in strengthening their Diversity ratio, closely followed by Healthcare and Life Sciences sector (54 percent) and the Financials and Real Estate sector (54 percent) whereas Consumer Goods and Services sector (34 percent) have a long way to go.

Over half of the employers (58 percent) confirm building trusting relationships with teams within the organization is helping support the recruitment and retention of all genders more equitably. Other top factors include: Effectively supporting employee well-being (57 percent) and recognizing employees for contributing to a positive culture (54 percent).

Further, four in 10 organizations (43 percent) report leadership development programs are effectively expanding the candidate pool to include more individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Besides, 80 percent of employers say new technology has helped them be more flexible, promoting more gender equality, 74 percent said tech is diversifying their IT talent pipelines, 77 percent cite advancing tech as helping gender equality, and 70 percent said that AI-based tools are aiding with the recruitment of the best candidates regardless of gender.

Over half (58 percent) of respondents report pay equity initiatives are on schedule, while the remaining 32 percent are behind schedule and 10 percent have no initiatives. Information Technology (65 percent), Communications Services (60 percent), and Healthcare and Life Sciences (60 percent) are outpacing the other industries. Energy and Utilities (48 percent) are lagging.

Efforts to expand the number of women candidates vary by role type, with administrative (57 percent), front-line Management (55 percent) and operational (55 percent) positions leading the way. Less female representation is seen in Top-Level Management roles (49 percent) followed by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) (53 percent) and mid-level management (53 percent).

“India’s gender diversity is among the best worldwide and it is encouraging to see women's participation in the workforce increasing at a rapid pace. Organizations have realigned their hiring strategies by mandating women hiring at every level across sectors," said Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director of ManpowerGroup India and Middle East.