Have you heard of social mobility? You probably have- it is a topic swirling around society as a whole, making its way into conversation. But, what exactly is it? Many associate it with hiring, or think it refers only to groups from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This blog will answer the question- what exactly is social mobility, and how important is it within the hiring process.
Understanding social mobility:
Social mobility is a term that specifically refers to the movement of individuals and families between social strata. For example, it could refer to a coal miner who works his way up to being a bank manager, or it could refer to a marketing executive whose business goes into administration, forcing them to become a gardener. Both of these people are moving places in the social and economic ‘ladder’, a clear demonstration of social mobility.
When businesses and individuals refer to improving and promoting social mobility, they are referring to unlocking potential, broadening horizons and creating opportunities for those from low socio-economic backgrounds. This is because they are creating a space where individuals are able to move up the social hierarchy. Currently, within the UK tech sector, according to a study done by the TTC, only 9% of employees come from a lower socio-economic background, while the working class make up 33.3% of the population. This statistic illustrates just how much work there is to do in order to create a society where the only prerequisites for success are attitude and aptitude.
There are two types of social mobility- vertical mobility and horizontal mobility. Vertical social mobility refers to an individual or family moving up or down the social ladder. This could manifest as moving from a low income, poorer living standard, to a higher one, or equally it could refer to a movement down the social chain. Horizontal mobility is probably less important to focus on, but it describes the movement between sectors or roles that do not change the social standing of the individual or family (for example, someone who moves from a managerial position in a tech company to one in the finance industry).
Several aspects affect social mobility, including education, economic policies, geographical location, and social networks. Access to quality education can open up job opportunities and improve economic status. Government policies that promote equal opportunities and reduce income inequality can help individuals move up the social ladder. People living in regions with better infrastructure and job opportunities are more likely to experience upward mobility. Social networks and connections can provide access to resources and opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, individual talents, cultural attitudes, and demographic factors can also influence social mobility.
The role of social mobility in the hiring process:
There is a movement within the recruitment world to improve social mobility, and to make the workforce more reflective of society as a whole. Inclusive hiring practices can promote upward mobility for underrepresented groups, ensuring that workplaces will include employees from all backgrounds. This is not just the right thing to do, it actually creates a competitive advantage for the company. As a result of including people from different backgrounds, a tangible difference in innovation and creativity can be seen, as different experiences amount to different approaches and ideas, meaning that a company can see an increase in output.
An integral ingredient of successful teams are diverse perspectives. Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental contributors to the success of a company, and social mobility plays a huge role in this. It is fundamentally important to have different perspectives making up a team. Not only does this mean that there are opportunities to combine experience, outlooks and approaches, leading to an outcome that would benefit as many people as possible, but it also helps people feel seen and respected in their workplace. Promoting social mobility is something that several businesses are implementing- from the finance industry, to the law industry and everything in between- the amount of businesses involved with this movement shows just how important this is.
Improving social mobility is key to creating a happy and healthy workplace. As mentioned there are countless quantifiable benefits to hiring diversely, as including untapped talent and people from different backgrounds brings a multitude of different perspectives, skills and experiences to a team. However, perhaps more importantly, improving social mobility helps employees feel seen and respected as themselves. Retention is improved, as people feel supported, promoted and celebrated, regardless of their socio-economic background.
How to hire for a socially mobile workforce:
With all the benefits of hiring diversely outlined, you may be asking yourself- how can I improve social mobility within my team? Well, implementing strategies such as skills and strength based hiring can ensure that candidates are hired based on their aptitude and attitude. Furthermore, changing the way job descriptions are created, for example removing requirements that may automatically discourage certain groups from applying, could open up roles to a more diverse selection of candidates. Another strategy could be to use technology that allows a bias-free recruitment process, such as anonymisation of profiles, allowing candidates to be judged based solely on what makes them unique and perfect for the role. Of course, training and development for hiring managers about the best ways in which to improve social mobility is always invaluable in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, as a result of this brief introduction to social mobility, you will have a clearer idea of exactly what this topical term means. It is important to understand the role we all have in supporting those from lower socio-economic backgrounds in their careers. The best ways to do this include implementing fairer hiring strategies, and supporting and celebrating the different and unique perspectives that a diverse workforce can bring to a team.
At Day One, one of our missions to provide companies with the opportunity to Hire Better, allowing you to hire people regardless of their background, meaning that your potential employee will be validated, motivated and diverse, with their attitude and aptitude getting them a job, rather than their background, experience or social connections. Click here to find out more.
