Inclusion (DEIB) in the Tech Industry

Scholastic, July 2022

Inclusion (DEIB) in the Tech Industry

Scholastic, July 2022

Follow along on your device at:

https://slides.com/tennisbear/inclusion-tech-2022/live

Who Am I?

• Dennis Slade Jr.
  dslade@scholastic.com
   
• 20+ years experience programming with software engineering technologies
   
• 25+ years experience in web & desktop applications, software support, and training
   
• 30+ years providing tech support to Mom

What are we talking about today?

DEIB

Source: https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion/what-does-dei-mean-in-the-workplace

• Diversity: The presence of differences within a given setting. In the workplace, that can mean differences in [culture], ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age and socioeconomic class.
   
• Equity: The act of ensuring that processes and programs are impartial, fair and provide equal possible outcomes for every individual.
   
• Inclusion: The practice of ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging in the workplace. This means that every employee feels comfortable and supported by the organization when it comes to being their authentic selves.

Do you remember this video?

Or what about this one?

Why did that happen?

How could it happen?

Diversity refers to difference. As such, diversity is a property of groups, not individuals. Diversity refers to cultivating talent... An individual cannot be diverse, but groups of individuals (e.g., the scientific research workforce) can possess diversity.

- Kenneth Gibbs, Jr.

Diversity

Inclusion

Inclusion is a call to action within the workforce that means actively involving every employee’s ideas, knowledge, perspectives, approaches, and styles to maximize business success.

- Shirley Engelmeier

Why should companies strive

for diversity and inclusion?

Diversity of experiences and viewpoints helps companies better navigate the rough times

More viewpoints leads to more ideas, increasing organizations' creativity and bettering their solutions

Companies without diverse staff often make embarrassing mistakes

Label

Me

Did your labels cover this photo?

Or this one?

Or this one?

Label Me... At Your Peril!

I'm a competitive, advanced tennis player

I lived for years in Zürich, Switzerland and speak German

I have been to events at the White House on three separate occasions

I have a husband

Intersectionality

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are characteristics ascribed to groups of people involving gender, race, national origin and other factors. These characteristics tend to be oversimplifications of the groups involved, however.

- Nadra Kareem-Nittle

The Tech Industry's Inclusion Problem

Male/Female Imbalance (Did you know that the first "computers" were all women?) [*]
 

Underrepresented ethnicities [*]

Ageism

The Tech Industry's Inclusion Problem

Male/Female Imbalance (Did you know that the first "computers" were all women?) [*]
 

Underrepresented ethnicities [*]

Ageism

Issues in Hiring

Most jobs are found through networking,
not job listings

Most recruiters & HR depts look to the same places. (No imagination, lowest perceived risk/reward ratio)

Looking only for "Culture Fit"

Stereotyping of candidates

Issues in Retention

Not being in the "In" Crowd that hangs out after work.

Company culture based on beer & pizza

Management valuing the opinions and promoting only certain types of employees

Microaggressions!

Microaggressions

Microaggressions are intentional or unintentional slights - based on cultural/gender/age stereotypes - that serve to invalidate the group identity of target persons, demean them on a personal or group level, or otherwise communicate that they are lesser human beings.

- Derald Wing Sue

Diversity at Conferences

Mirrors the issues seen in hiring and retention

You might be the only one of your "type" in the room

The movement to ensure diversity of panelists and speakers

How Can You Help?

How Can You Help?

Volunteer with programs that promote tech skills/knowledge among girls, women, and underrepresented minority groups

If you see non-inclusive actions/practices happening at school or on the job, speak up about it to a dean, a manager,
or human resources

How Can You Help?

Actively recruit diverse candidates (from your networks, schools you've attended, conferences) to apply for jobs where you work.

Agree to be a panelist at a conference only if the diversity level of both the panel and conference meet your minimum requirements.

Q & A

Bonus Time:
Ask a Manager

Thanks for listening!

Dennis Slade Jr.
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dennissladejr
• Twitter: @DennisSladeJr

This presentation on Slides.com:

https://slides.com/tennisbear/inclusion-tech-2022