Yorkshire Water: new approaches to recruitment

Yorkshire Water: new approaches to recruitment

Wolff C. Equal Opportunities Review (UK), September 2006, No. 156, Start page: 7 (7 pages)

Purpose – Describes how Yorkshire Water (UK) has set up an experimental recruitment strategy designed to increase the diversity of its workforce. Assesses the effectiveness of this. Design/methodology/approach– Details how the diversity strategy was developed, its content and outcomes. Describes the pilots that were set up, discussing the recruitment methods that were introduced and the indications of their success. Identifies why the experimental strategy has been successful and outlines how it is being carried forward. Findings – Reports that the approach to recruitment has been transformed as good practice has spread from the pilots to main recruitment systems. Highlights the success of carrying out a behavioural assessment in the assessment centre before the CVs of the candidates were examined, pointing out that this lead to candidates being selected who might have been overlooked in the traditional recruitment procedure. Highlights that the percentage of minority ethnic employees at Yorkshire Water has risen, their retention has risen and that women and minority ethnic employees have moved into new work areas. Research limitations/implications – Presents detailed case study evidence. Practical implications – Indicates the strategies that Yorkshire Water found successful. Originality/value – Gives an example of how an organization reviewed and revamped its recruitment strategies.Reference:35AY730

Keywords: Diversity management, Equal opportunities, Recruitment,Water industry, United Kingdom