Flexible work practices boost diversity in tech roles

The shift towards flexible working has unintentionally spurred greater diversity in workplace roles, notably within the tech sector, according to the Diversity in Tech Report from Wiley Edge, a global training partner in talent and reskill programmes.

The increased adoption of remote and hybrid roles has brought about rise in the number of job applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Research from Wiley Edge revealed significant increases, attributing the uplift in applicants from diverse backgrounds to the inclusion of more flexible work arrangements. It showed that 92% of businesses have seen a rise in diversity amongst job candidates through facilitating hybrid and remote roles. Traditionally, tech teams and IT sectors, notorious for their male-dominated workforce, have seen a shift following the introduction of remote work options. Now, 63% of businesses report a hike in gender diversity among qualified applicants.

With new flexible work patterns, companies have seen a 43% increase in ethnically diverse candidates, a boost of 22% in neuro-diverse candidates and an 18% rise in candidates from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. This signals a positive change in giving access to bigger talent pools and encouraging diversity within tech teams.

Commenting on the findings, Khadijah Pandor, Head of Partnerships, EMEA & NA at Wiley Edge, stated, "There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to the number of days that should be spent working in the office versus at home. However, the research clearly shows that the introduction of flexible working policies is positive. Accommodating different lifestyles and ways of working encourages diversity and allows people, who might otherwise be disregarded at the application stage, to apply for more roles. Hybrid working policies aren't a solution for diversity disparities, but they do bring about a positive shift."

Wiley Edge's research suggests that flexible working policies confer financial benefits to younger staff members, enabling them to bypass monetary obstacles like transport expenses and opens up job opportunities further from home. In fact, a whopping 95% of Gen Z tech workers have acknowledged the financial, geographical, and social advantages remote roles have afforded them.

In the same breath, Pandor noted, "The majority, 84% of employees, favour a mixed working culture, encompassing both remote and office-based options. More than a third, 37%, express they'd contemplate career change if the flexibility was terminated." She further explained how flexible work policies cater to the unique needs and advantages of diverse candidates, facilitating a more inclusive, creative, and innovative workspace. This, she believes, is pivotal in crafting tech products and services that adequately reflect and cater to diverse end-users and markets.

Building on the advocacy for diverse working environments, research from McKinsey highlights that teams with high racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to perform better financially. The trend holds for gender-diverse teams, who are 15% more likely to have better financial performance. This suggests that amplified flexibility in work practices can attract diverse candidates in tech roles, which can improve a business's overall profitability,