Avoid stereotypes when hiring

A lot of stereotypes are still taken at face value and prejudices are still apparent.

Several companies across the GCC still have a misconception about the people that they hire based on their country of origin, and this is a trend that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, experts at the 12th Human Capital Forum Mena said.
Organised by French deal facilitation company Naseba, the forum engaged business and HR leaders in a series of hands-on workshops, talk shows and panel discussions.
James Vincent, AGM of human resources at Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait, spoke about the changing dynamics in the GCC region, which included increased nationalisation, changing measures, and more and more expats. "For me, these changing dynamics mean that HR managers have some tough decisions to make. If we don't do it, we are in denial. We have to make fundamental changes," he said.
He added: "I believe that we still select individuals based on their country of origin. And often, the people making those decisions are senior managers, who aren't challenged on this subject."
A lot of stereotypes are still taken at face value, he said, and prejudices are still apparent.
"What we have got to stop trying to do is engage in a debate where we look at the future of the dynamics in the GCC. What I am asking you all to do is to challenge, not based on the common rhetoric that we have always done it this way, but to challenge the set in stone approach relating to managers' attitudes towards recruitment and nationality. Don't reinforce the stereotypes and ways of working that you encounter on a daily basis," he urged.
One of the common misconceptions, he added, has to do with cheap labour that is sourced from countries in the subcontinent. Times have changed and many people from that region earn the same salary that they would in the GCC, he stressed.
Speaking on talent acquisition, Vincent noted that universities are a good place to start and hunt for talent. He also revealed that many people in an organisation, especially if they have been there for a long time, already have the skills that will make them effective managers. Promoting those employees to higher positions in the company sets a very good example of work culture.
Speaking on younger workers in the region, David B. Jones, founder and CEO of The Talent Enterprise, said that many younger workers, especially millennials, are looking for a challenge. For them, it is not enough to have a comfortable job; they want to be given challenging projects that will aid them in their careers. Also, many of them take career building very seriously, and will leave a position if they feel that there is no more room left for them to grow.
In addition, many will also be on the lookout for opportunities that allow them to continue with their studies. A trend that has grown in popularity in recent years has been companies funding their studies in order to retain that talent.
- rohma@khaleejtimes.com