Diversity Hiring: The Suggested Strategies to Build an Inclusive Workforce

One of the biggest shifts I’ve seen in recruitment over the past few years is that the growing emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Nowadays companies are no longer just looking at a candidate’s skills and experience, Now they are prioritizing diverse perspectives and backgrounds to drive innovation and their business growth.


In Sri Lanka, with its richness in cultural heritage and high diverse workforce, presents an exciting but complex landscape for diversity hiring. From inclusivity of gender in corporate leadership on empowering underrepresented communities, businesses are gradually recognizing the high need for a more inclusive approach on recruitment. However, attracting a diverse talent needs more than just the intent to it—it demands a very solid strategy as well.

Why does Diversity Hiring Matters

Diverse workplaces have proven they have its own benefits. Companies which has inclusive teams experiences higher productivity, increased creativity, and stronger financial performance (Hunt et al., 2020). Employees from different backgrounds bring up unique problem-solving skills, which fosters better decision-making (Phillips, 2017).

In Sri Lanka, industries such as in IT, banking, and apparel sectors have started towards focusing on the diversity hiring. For an instance, MAS Holdings has one of the country’s leading apparel manufacturers which runs “Women Go Beyond”, a program dedicated to promoting gender equality and leadership development for their female employees (MAS Holdings, 2023). By ensuring equal growth opportunities in the organization, companies like MAS has enhanced both business performance and employee satisfaction.

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The Key Strategies for Building an Inclusive Workforce

Expanding Recruitment Channels

Traditional recruiting job boards often fail to reach the underrepresented groups. I’ve seen companies in Sri Lanka widen their recruitment efforts by:

  • Partnering with universities and vocational training institutes which focus on the marginalized communities.

  • Engaging with women-led business networks and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups on creating safe career pathways.

  • Advertising job opportunities in regional languages (Sinhala and Tamil) to reach out for a broader candidate pool.

For example, Dialog Axiata actively collaborates with the STEMUp Foundation, This is an initiative that empowers women in tech industries, ensuring that young female graduates who are exposed for more opportunities in the IT sector (STEMUp Foundation, 2023).

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Implementing Unbiased Hiring Practices

Unconscious biasness more than often influences the hiring decisions, even when companies have good intentions in hiring. In order to counter this, Sri Lankan firms are adopting structured hiring approaches such as:

  • Blind Screening of Resumes – By removing names and gender identifiers from their resumes to focus solely on skills and experience.

  • Standardized the Interview Questions – Ensuring that every candidate is evaluated based on the same set of criteria which is standardized.

  • Hiring Panels with Diverse background – Including the interviewers from different backgrounds to reduce the biased decision-making during hiring.

Leading companies like John Keells Holdings (JKH) have introduced AI-driven recruitment tools to minimize human bias in candidate shortlisting (John Keells Holdings, 2023). This ensures a fairer selection process while also boosting transparency in hiring.

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Creating an Inclusive Workplace Policies

When attracting diverse talent is just the beginning; companies also need to look into retaining and supporting them. This is where the inclusive workplace policies play a very crucial role:

  • Flexible Work Arrangements – Supporting the working mothers, caregivers, and persons with disabilities.

  • Zero-Tolerance Harassment Policies – Creating a safe environments and policies for all employees.

  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) – Encouraging the minority employees to form a support network within the organization.

In the banking sector, HSBC Sri Lanka has introduced “Balance”, a diversity initiative that promotes gender equality and career advancement for women (HSBC Sri Lanka, 2022). By fostering an inclusive culture, employees feel valued and are more likely to stay and contribute.

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Showcasing the DEI Commitment Through the Employer Branding

A company’s reputation as an inclusive employer in the hiring market, significantly impacts its ability on attracting a diverse talent. In Sri Lanka, organizations openly communicate their DEI efforts through:

  • Social media campaigns showcasing their organizations workplace diversity.

  • Employee testimonials highlighting the inclusive company culture with the public.

  • Annual DEI reports that track progress and set new goals annually.

For an instance, The Unilever Sri Lanka frequently shares stories of their women leaders within their organization, emphasizing their career growth opportunities and their internal leadership training (Unilever Sri Lanka, 2023). This transparency attracts more candidates who value inclusivity and career development.

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References

Hunt, V., Prince, S., Dixon-Fyle, S. & Yee, L., 2020. Diversity wins: How inclusion matters. McKinsey & Company.

Phillips, K.W., 2017. How diversity makes us smarter. Scientific American, 311(4), pp.42-47.

MAS Holdings, 2023. Women Go Beyond Initiative. MAS Holdings Official Website.

STEMUp Foundation, 2023. Women in Tech Sri Lanka. STEMUp Official Website.

John Keells Holdings, 2023. Digital Hiring Practices. JKH Corporate Reports.

HSBC Sri Lanka, 2022. Balance: Gender Diversity Initiative. HSBC Sri Lanka Official Reports.

Unilever Sri Lanka, 2023. Women in Leadership: Our Commitment to Diversity. Unilever Sri Lanka Official Website.

Comments

  1. Naveen Wedasinghe ArachchiApril 1, 2025 at 7:19 PM

    The strategies mentioned, like blind resume screening, flexible work policies, and showcasing diversity efforts, are practical and easy to understand. When companies create a fair and welcoming workplace, employees feel valued and stay longer. A diverse team isn’t just good for business it makes the workplace a better place for everyone!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zahran CassimApril 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM

      I completely agree—when companies truly commit to fairness and inclusivity, it not only strengthens retention but also creates a more positive and innovative work environment. A diverse team brings different perspectives, which leads to better decision-making and stronger company culture. It’s great to see more organizations embracing these strategies!

      Delete
  2. Mashood MuhsinApril 2, 2025 at 11:14 PM

    It clearly explains why diversity hiring is important and how companies in Sri Lanka are making progress. Creating an inclusive workplace is not just a trend it helps businesses grow and makes employees feel valued.

    ReplyDelete
  3. H K D AnneApril 6, 2025 at 11:37 PM

    The emphasis on DEI in Sri Lankan companies is a positive shift, as it not only fosters inclusivity but also enhances business performance by attracting diverse talent and creating supportive environments for all employees.

    ReplyDelete

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