Coalition for Workforce Diversity Survey

Many companies in the New England market have experienced difficulty in sourcing, hiring, and retaining professional women of color within their organizations. HR/Diversity Leaders from throughout the area realized the need to address this as a community, and have come together to form the Coalition for Workforce Diversity. The Coalition is tasked with researching this issue, identifying the underlying problem, and developing a solution to the challenge. We created this survey in order to obtain the data needed to address the current situation. It is anticipated that the results of this survey will not only change the communication tools we use both internally and externally, but influence the internal brand message as well. Your responses to this survey are completely confidential. Once tallied, the results will be posted for participants to review. Your opinion is valued and will help the Coalition to begin to make a positive change in the recruitment and retention of women of color throughout New England. The Coalition thanks you in advance for your time and candidness in answering the questions below. 1. Age 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ 2. Sex Male Female 3. Education level High School/GED Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree PhD 4. Race/Ethnicity White/Non-Hispanic Black or African American Hispanic Asian American Native American Other (Please specify..) 5. Where do you live? Boston Proper Greater Boston North Suburbs/North Shore South Suburbs/South Shore Metro-West Worcester County Western MA ME NH RI CT 6. Job Function Executive Director Management Staff Consultant Other (Please specify..) 7. Industry Financial services Government Healthcare Insurance Non-profit Retail Services Other (Please specify..) MAIN SURVEY 1. How would you characterize employment leadership opportunities for women of color within the greater Boston area as a whole? Poor Fair Good Excellent What about: Your industry? Poor Fair Good Excellent Your organization? Poor Fair Good Excellent 2. On a scale of 1-5 (1=a weak presence and 5= a strong presence), please rate the following on their contribution to leadership opportunities for women of color in the greater Boston area. Networking opportunities. 1 2 3 4 5 Visible community leaders. 1 2 3 4 5 Organizations that represent/lobby for minority constituencies. 1 2 3 4 5 Influence of media stereotypes. 1 2 3 4 5 Discrimination. 1 2 3 4 5 Number of available role models. 1 2 3 4 5 Community base/pipeline for leadership candidates. 1 2 3 4 5 Please give specific examples where possible. 3. Which of the following would you say characterizes the culture at your present employer as it relates to employees who are women of color? Women and men have different perceptions of the company climate. Yes No Employees are excluded from formal and informal decisions and activities. Yes No Company is unresponsive to complaints concerning workplace issues. Yes No Individuals complaining of workplace issues risk retaliation. Yes No Policies and procedures to address the equity of climate are not enforced. Yes No Lack of accountability for ensuring an equitable and supportive environment. Yes No 4a. Which of the following activities does your company use to increase the recruitment of individuals from under-represented groups? (Please check all that apply) Participation in minority job fairs Outreach to student groups Directed mentoring efforts Recruitment at schools with large minority enrollment Participation in professionally-sponsored programs Involvement of employer committees Creation of affinity groups 4b. Which of the following activities does your company use to increase the retention of individuals from under-represented groups? (Please check all that apply) Participation in minority job fairs Outreach to student groups Directed mentoring efforts Recruitment at schools with large minority enrollment Participation in professionally-sponsored programs Involvement of employer committees Creation of affinity groups 5. Which of the following has negatively affected your own leadership opportunities and potential? (Please check all that apply) Lack of management involvement in promoting diverse leadership Minority employees not recognized or valued Non-inclusive company culture Clearly defined career path Lack of support for employee interest groups No/few mentorship opportunities Unsupportive company climate Imbalance between work and personal life Discrimination Other (Please specify..) 6a. Have you personally been a target of or experienced/witnessed discrimination or harassment? Yes No 6b. Did you take any action? What was the outcome? 7. What do you value in an employer? What makes you feel welcomed and included by an employer? 8. Do you intend to leave your current employer within the next year? Yes No Why or why not? 9. Is the Boston area a welcoming environment? Yes No Why or why not? 10. Would you recommend relocation to Boston to your friends or family? Yes No Why or why not?

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