Perception: Bill Boorman opening address

About the Talk

How difficult do recruiters make it for people wanting to be employed? Bill Boorman opened up proceedings at #InclusiveHiring 2020 with a truthful account into our perceptions of individuals, highlighting unconscious bias and prejudice as a bilateral effect of recruiter thinking. Prejudice and bias has been a part of human society for centuries, not long ago those that were left-handed would be forced to learn to write with their other hand due to societal and cultural pressures, and before that – seen as an example of someones sin, or wickedness.

72% of people wouldn’t, or would be uncomfortable speaking to someone in a wheelchair, unless they were stuck in a lift. If you see disability as a potential blocker in everyday life – you are part of the problem. The value individuals can provide with disabilities can accelerate their learning capacity, and provide tremendous value to your business if you as an employer are willing to take the necessary steps to make small changes in your business.

As recruiters, what changes are we willing to make when we see people or situations that are excluding individuals?

People often don’t ask for adjustments, they don’t want to be that part of the process which can be seen as a negative impact for themselves upon their potential future employers – it can be seen as an immediate liability and disadvantage to those individuals.

About the Speaker

Bill never wears a suit and always wears a hat. He has a simple vision to make recruitment better for everyone. He works towards this by advising talent technology companies on their product road map, with V.C.’s over investments in the sector, with hiring companies on technology and approach, and by hosting #tru events. #tru have hosted over 100 events during the last 12 months, in 65 countries and 5 continents. This has led to conversations with over 2,500 people who work in and around recruiting across the globe. This gives Bill great insight in to the market, and the technology needed to support it.