Public organisations more likely than private companies to request diversity data [Video]

More than four in 10 (44%) public sector organisations are now requesting diversity data from potential employees compared to 19% of private sector enterprises, new research by Hays Ireland has found.

Some 59% of employers don’t request diversity data from job applications, and of those that do larger organisations (28%) are more likely than SMEs (17%).

Collecting diversity data is an important part of the process of enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace.

More than three-quarters (77%) of professionals are happy to provide personal diversity data during the application process, while 23% are uncomfortable doing so. 

Applicants are most comfortable providing data on their gender, their age and ethnicity or nationality, but are less inclined to report their socio-economic background, their sexual orientation, and their mental health status. 

Over half (53%) of professionals say they would be more open to sharing their personal diversity data during the application process if the employer provided specifics about how …