Why more women need to be hired in tech? (+ 4 Steps how Organizations can hire more women)

The tech industry has seen exponential growth in recent years and is considered one of the most lucrative industries globally. However, the gender gap in this field remains a significant issue, with women still underrepresented in various tech roles, particularly in leadership positions. According to a report, women comprise only 26% of the computing workforce in the United States, a percentage that has remained stagnant for over a decade.

According to another study, women are significantly underrepresented in technology leadership roles, holding only 22% of technology executive roles in Fortune 500 companies globally. The study further said that companies could promote gender diversity in technology leadership by addressing hiring and promotion processes biases, providing mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for women, and creating inclusive workplace cultures that value diversity and promote collaboration.

Addressing the Problem

Before discussing the steps to hire more women in tech, it is essential to address the problem and acknowledge the biases that prevent women from entering and advancing in this field. Here is how companies can look at addressing the problem:

Identifying and Acknowledging Biases

Many companies and individuals have implicit biases, unconscious attitudes, or stereotypes that influence decision-making. These biases can manifest in job descriptions, hiring practices, and workplace culture, creating barriers for women.

To address implicit biases, organizations can provide training and education for employees to help them recognize and address their biases. It can include workshops, webinars, and other resources that provide employees with the tools to recognize and overcome their biases. Companies can also review their job descriptions and hiring practices to identify biases and make necessary changes to ensure they are inclusive and gender-neutral.

Providing Equal Opportunities

Providing equal opportunities for women in tech is essential to close the gender gap. It includes creating inclusive work environments where women feel valued, respected, and supported. Organizations can achieve this by providing flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, to accommodate women's needs and creating supportive and inclusive environments that value diversity and provide opportunities for growth and advancement.

Firms can also provide mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities for women to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to succeed in tech careers. By providing equal opportunities, companies can attract and retain top talent in the tech industry, including women.

Encouraging and Promoting Women's Participation

Encouraging and promoting women's participation in the tech industry is another critical factor in closing the gender gap. Companies can achieve this by partnering with schools and universities to promote tech careers to women, providing internships and apprenticeships, and participating in events and programs that support women in tech.

Organizations can also encourage women to pursue leadership roles in tech by providing mentorship and sponsorship programs and creating diverse and inclusive work environments that promote collaboration and innovation. By encouraging and promoting women's participation in the tech industry, companies can help close the gender gap and promote diversity and inclusion in their organizations.

Benefits of Hiring Women in Tech

Companies prioritizing diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices can reap several benefits. Here are the key benefits of hiring more women in tech:

Boosting Innovation and Creativity

Studies have shown that teams with greater diversity are more innovative and creative. By hiring more women in tech, companies can bring new perspectives and ideas to the table, leading to more innovative solutions and products. Women in tech may also have different skills and expertise than their male counterparts, further enhancing a team's creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Improving Company Image and Reputation

Companies prioritizing diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices can improve their image and reputation among employees, customers, and investors. By demonstrating a commitment to gender diversity, companies can attract and retain top talent, build customer loyalty, and enhance their brand reputation. In today's competitive job market, companies prioritizing diversity are more likely to be seen as progressive and attractive to job seekers.

Increasing Profitability and Productivity

Research has shown that companies with diverse workforces are more profitable and productive than those without the same. By hiring more women in tech, companies can tap into a larger talent pool and increase their access to diverse perspectives and experiences. It can lead to better decision-making, more efficient operations, and ultimately, increased profitability and productivity. In addition, women in tech may bring a different skill set that can help companies navigate the rapidly changing technology landscape.

Steps to Hire More Women in Tech

The technology industry has long been criticized for its lack of diversity, with women, in particular, being underrepresented in tech roles. While progress has been made in recent years, there is still a long way to go.

To hire more women in tech, companies need to take a proactive approach to address the barriers that have prevented women from entering and advancing in the industry.

Here are some steps companies can take to hire more women in tech.

Reevaluating Job Requirements and Qualifications

One barrier to hiring more women in tech is the tendency for job requirements and qualifications to be overly specific and narrow. It can lead to a lack of diversity in the applicant pool and make it harder for women to enter the industry. To address this, companies can reevaluate their job requirements and qualifications to ensure they are inclusive and accessible to a broader range of candidates. For example, instead of requiring a specific degree or certification, companies can focus on skills and experience that are relevant to the job.

For instance, Intel launched an "Intel Inside New Hire" program that focused on hiring candidates with non-traditional backgrounds, including women and people of color. As a result of this program, Intel increased its hiring of women in technical roles by 43% in just one year.

Developing and Promoting a Diverse Workplace Culture

Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture is essential for attracting and retaining women in tech. Companies can do this by promoting a culture of inclusion and respect and providing opportunities for employees to connect and engage with each other. It can include employee resource groups, mentoring programs, and diversity training.

One company that has made significant strides in promoting a diverse workplace culture is Salesforce. The company has several initiatives to promote gender diversity and inclusion, including a Women's Network and a Women in a Leadership program that provides women leadership training and mentorship opportunities. As a result of these initiatives, Salesforce has been named one of the Best Workplaces for Women by Fortune magazine for six consecutive years.

Improving Hiring Practices

 Hiring practices can often be biased and exclusionary, making it harder for women to enter and advance in the tech industry. To address this, companies can take steps to ensure their hiring practices are fair and inclusive. It can include conducting blind resume reviews, using structured interviews, and providing diversity training for hiring managers.

These are some of the measures that can help improve the hiring practices in an organization. As these changes will impact several departments, an organization can lose focus. It is critical to stay focused during this process.

For example, Google is known for successfully implementing fair hiring practices. The company analyzed its hiring practices a few years ago and found that its interview process was biased against women. To address this, Google implemented a new process that included more diverse interview panels and structured interviews. As a result of these changes, Google increased its hiring of women in technical roles by 5% in just one year.

Providing Equal Pay and Benefits

One of the biggest barriers to hiring and retaining women in tech is unequal pay and benefits. To address this, companies can take steps to ensure they are providing equal pay and benefits for all employees, regardless of gender. It can include conducting regular pay audits, providing equal employee benefits, and offering flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance.

Companies can start by assessing the current state of pay and benefits between the two genders. Once the current state has been assessed, it is time to bring in changes so that the organization can improve the level of pay and benefits for women in case it is skewed towards men.

Adobe conducted a global pay equity analysis in 2018 and found that 99% of employees were paid equitably. In addition, Adobe provides several benefits to support work-life balance, including flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and wellness programs.

Conclusion

Hiring more women in tech is not only the right thing to do but also good for business. By reevaluating job requirements and qualifications, developing and promoting diverse workplace culture, improving hiring practices, and providing equal pay and benefits, companies can take concrete steps to address the barriers preventing women from entering and advancing in the tech industry.

It's important to note that these steps are not a one-time fix but an ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Companies must be willing to regularly assess their hiring and workplace practices and make adjustments as necessary to ensure they create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all.

Hiring more women in tech is not just about meeting quotas or ticking boxes. It's about creating a more diverse, innovative, and productive workforce. By embracing diversity and inclusion, companies can build stronger, more successful teams that are equipped to tackle the challenges of the future.

Cogent Infotech help businesses hire the top tech talent. With the right balance of recruiting team and AI-powered technology, we recruit diverse teams for organizations. Click here to read more about how we provide our services and trainings to sensitize professionals to racial inequities and enable a commitment to DEI initiatives.