5.2 Develop structured talent development plan and process to counteract bias and gender parity and diversity imbalances in talent pool
Content
Description of Best Practices
Define based on gap analysis:
- Talent and leadership development strategy, which is long-term and includes both mid and long-term targets, to counteract gender parity and diversity imbalance
- Targets for inclusion of women in the talent programs set higher than the current representation of women in the overall workforce (50:50 gender parity targets advised)
- Structured process to meet targets and to counteract bias, especially in identification and assessment of talent
Create individual development plans for employees and leaders connected to career goals and audited for parity and diversity
Embed gender awareness and diversity curriculum in all talent and leadership development programs
Challenges of Implementation
Development opportunities for employees and access to training may be ad hoc rather than connected to career goals or talent needs of the company
Development initiatives offered may not be fully aligned with corporate strategy
Managers may not be fully trained to have development conversations with employees
Corporate culture and infrastructure may not support women in leadership positions and therefore not support female talent
What Success Looks Like
Development plans for employees are connected to career goals and audited for equity and any inequities found are corrected
Professional development opportunities are designed intentionally to address identified gender parity and diversity gaps
Measures are developed to counteract bias in talent selection, assessment and in promotion (e.g., annual talent and leadership committee assessing the progress of each person within the talent and leadership pool)
Increased numbers and percentages of women and men in talent development programs within different positions and departments
Resources and Tools
Tool: Gender Inclusion & Diversity Toolkit (Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters)
Report/Study: Empowering Women in the Workplace. Future Talent Strategies: Gender Diversity and Leadership (Robert Walters)