When an organization's workforce is not reflective of the community it serves, it may risk losing the opportunity to hire great employees or tap into new or growing local and global markets
TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2023 /CNW/ - Although Black History Month is drawing to a close, it is important to remember that the minority experience is not a monolith. The barriers that Black professionals encounter are not limited to the same barriers as their colleagues. To offer an in-depth, data-backed look into the unique Black experience in the technology industry and to support organizations seeking to improve their intentional DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives, Info-Tech Research Group has published its highly anticipated report, The State of Black Professionals in Tech.
"Diversity in tech is not a new topic, and it's not a secret that technology organizations struggle to attract and retain Black employees," share Info-Tech research directors and leads on the report, Allison Straker and Ugbad Farah. "Current events have once again brought diversity to the forefront for many organizations. The pandemic, along with preparations for a recession and talent trends such as 'the great resignation' and 'quiet quitting' have not only impacted diversity at large, but also Black professionals in technology."
While there are a variety of diversity dimensions, the new report emphasizes the importance of understanding what makes up a "multicultural workforce," as there is more to diversity than gender, race, and ethnicity. Organizations need to understand that there is diversity within these groups and that Black professionals have their own unique experience when it comes to entering and navigating the tech industry.
Over 600 individuals were surveyed for the report, the majority of which indicated they were born or are living in the US, Canada, India, Nigeria, or the United Kingdom. Follow-up interviews provided additional insights on the data collected.
The respondents identified several overarching themes and shared experiences when examining the experience of Black professionals in the tech industry. The key themes revealed by the research are as follows:
Info-Tech's report highlights good news: there are various actions organizations can take to help address these barriers. One particularly notable takeaway from the firm's research is that Black professionals reported that working from home or remotely has reduced the impact of racial incidents in the workplace, leading to improved mood and sense of safety. Remote work also led to feelings of opportunities for career advancement, an important consideration when many Black professionals report challenges in achieving career advancement or promotions.
Research participants were also asked to distribute points across five potential solutions that could lead to improved job satisfaction. The findings showed that there were common solutions that could be leveraged to support the rectification of the identified issues. These solutions, ranked in order of importance, include:
"The report acknowledges that resolving the barriers that Black employees often face is not easy," continue Straker and Farah. "Although senior executives are recognizing that a diverse set of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds is crucial to fostering innovation and competing on the global stage, organizations often don't take the extra step to actively look for racialized talent. Leaders should look at a variety of solutions that can be implemented within the organization, keeping in mind that the experiences of each demographic vary."
In the report, the firm reminds organizational leaders that when implementing measures to support Black professionals within an organization, it is critical to ensure they are not put in place as Band-Aid solutions but are carefully thought-out and layered.
For the full scope of insights, areas of opportunity, and suggested solutions in combatting the unique barriers Black professionals face in the technology industry and workplace, download and read the complete The State of Black Professionals in Tech report.
To learn more about Info-Tech Research Group, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and Industry analysts through the ITRG Media Insiders Program. To gain access, contact [email protected].
SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
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