HR Magazine: Why social mobility should be high on HR’s agenda

Article originally posted in HR Magazine, written by Siobhan Goss, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Matrix

It’s time to make social mobility an essential part of any company’s agenda.

I celebrated Social Mobility Day last week (13 June). It is a reminder that we all must strive for equality in every aspect of our lives. This is particularly crucial for companies and HR departments that lack a comprehensive equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy, or consider social mobility someone else’s problem.

Social mobility is about promoting a fairer and more equitable society – a goal that is becoming increasingly important. Studies consistently demonstrate that a person’s background and their parents’ occupations significantly impact opportunities, affecting everything from education and work experience to career aspirations and hobbies. I am particularly proud of our scholarship initiative supporting social mobility, facilitated by the digital financial management business for students, Blackbullion.

Businesses are increasingly motivated to reflect the communities they serve by recruiting from a broader talent pool, thereby benefiting from the diversity of thought this brings. Although there has rightly been significant attention on ethnicity and gender, socio-economic background is often neglected.

By prioritising social mobility, business leaders can unlock the full potential of their workforce, drive innovation, and ensure sustainable growth. It’s not just about doing the right thing, it’s about creating a competitive advantage in an ever-changing business landscape.

Read the full article here: HR Magazine