Almost half of public sector organisations are more likely to ask for diversity data compared to less than 20% of private sector companies.

New research from Hays Ireland reveals 44% of public sector employers are likely to ask for diversity data - such as gender, age, ethnicity or sexual orientation - from potential employees compared to 19% of private sector firms.

Almost 60% of employers currently don’t request diversity data from job applications.

Of those that do, large organisations are more likely to request the information (28%) compared to SMEs (17%).

According to the survey, 77% of professionals are happy to provide personal diversity data during the application process, while 23% are uncomfortable doing so.

Hays Ireland Managing Director Maureen Lynch told The Pat Kenny Show it's about building a diverse workforce.

"As organisations we should reflect the community that we serve and our customers," she said.

"The business case is very much there as well; we know that the more diverse an organisation is, the more successful they are.

"The more likely they are to have more creative, innovative, productive but also more likely to retain talent."

'Anonymous'

Ms Lynch said any such diversity data is anonymised.

"If you were asking for diversity data at the application process, make sure that it's voluntary; also give options of 'prefer not to say'," she said.

"Ensure very much that it's anonymous - nobody's going to know about it and it's not going to impact your application to a specific role".

Young office workers meeting in a boardroom. Image: Ammentorp Photography / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Lynch said a majority of people would provide more information.

"77% of professionals said they're very happy to provide personal data; 53% of them said they would be more open to sharing their diversity data at the application process if they understood exactly how the information would be used," she said.

"Then it's back to the employer to be very clear about their intention around that data.

"Essentially it is to make it clear that it is about progressing their [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] agenda".

Ms Lynch said there is a clear divide between the public and private sectors.

"I would suggest potentially [private sector organisations] haven't progressed to that stage yet," she said.

"It's quite common that organisations collect diversity data within their current workforce."

Ms Lynch added that collecting diversity data is "becoming more of the norm".

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Main image: An office block in Dublin with workers at their desks, 19-11-13. Image: Chris Cooper-Smith / Alamy