As of 2023, over 100 million people around the world have been displaced from their homes as a result of ongoing conflicts and disasters. For refugees and other displaced people, finding meaningful employment is one of the most important steps in their journey to rebuild their lives. And for the companies that hire them, bringing a refugee on board is more than just a good deed. It’s also a powerful strategy for filling skills gaps, improving workforce diversity, and expanding a team’s mindset, benefits to keep in mind today — World Refugee Day — and every other day.

According to LinkedIn data, 80% of hiring managers say refugees have the right skills or experience — and 86% agree that employees from refugee backgrounds bring valuable perspectives and ideas to the table. Since refugees worked a wide range of jobs before being forced to flee their homes, they are often highly skilled and educated, in addition to possessing language skills and an understanding of other cultures that can enhance a company’s ability to tap into new markets. In fact, 97% of hiring managers at companies that have hired refugees would recommend doing so to others.

As with any talent pool, refugees have certain needs that need to be met in order for them to thrive in the hiring process and workforce. Fortunately, many organizations exist to help employers bridge the gap when it comes to hiring, onboarding, and helping refugee hires thrive.

Here’s how three companies leaned on these resources to welcome refugees into their workforces — and unlock all the benefits that this large, diverse, and overlooked pool can offer.

Marriott won the loyalty of the community — and its own workforce

As a global hotel and resort chain, Marriott International operates in a wide range of communities. Hiring refugees is one way that the company is able to give back to those communities and ensure customers from all backgrounds feel like they belong — positively impacting Marriott’s overall hiring efforts and reputation as a brand.

Marriott has a history of hiring refugees. In response to the Afghan refugee crisis, the company launched a formal refugee hiring program in the U.S. in 2022, committing to hire more than 1,500 refugees in that market by 2025. Since then, it’s also recruited over 970 refugees, most of whom are Ukrainian.

“Through this initiative, we’ve welcomed hundreds of highly motivated, skilled, and resilient individuals into Marriott,” says Ty Breland, EVP and CHRO of Marriott International, “not only enriching our workforce but also making a positive impact on the lives of these individuals and in the communities where we do business.”

To make this possible, Marriott connected HR leaders from its hotels with local refugee resettlement agencies to share job openings, discuss best practices, and develop a how-to guide for applicants. The company also empowers its teams to support refugee colleagues, with some hotels now offering onsite translators and prayer rooms, as well as help accessing public transportation to get to work.

People have taken notice of Marriott’s efforts — including other team members. Employees have shared that they’re proud to work for a company that prioritizes this issue, with many even asking how they can get involved.

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Source: , Samantha McLaren, 20 juin 2023