Yesterday, (June 07th 2016), Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, and the 30% Club launched a Voluntary Code of Conduct for Recruitment and Executive Search Firms who are involved in senior level recruitment. This initiative is another tool to help organisations achieve gender balance in decision-making roles and hire the right candidate for the job, male or female, from 100% of the talent pool.
The Code was drawn up by Ibec, the 30% Club and a small steering group of professionals from recruitment and executive search firms representing some of the leading companies in the sector, all of whom have committed to signing up to the Code. It is a voluntary code which sets out eight key principles of best practice which include:
- Diversity goals: Be aware of overall senior management and board composition. In the context of the organisation’s agreed goals on diversity, determine where to prioritise gender balance in recruitment;
- Defining briefs: Recruitment and search firms will ensure that appropriate weight is given to relevant skills, underlying competencies and personal capabilities and not just proven career experience;
- Candidate support: Provide appropriate support, in particular to first-time candidates, to prepare them for interviews and guide them through the selection process.
As an executive resourcing firm, our sister company Principal Connections was in attendance. The participating firms acknowledge the value that diversity can bring and believe the Code reflects their commitment to helping clients to improve gender balance, and share best practice across the industry. It also acknowledges the important role of Ireland’s Senior Recruitment and Executive Search Firms in supporting their clients as they take steps to increase the gender balance at executive level and on their boards.
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