“AI CV screening risks keeping women out of the workplace”, as AI tools increasingly influence recruitment processes, warns FTSE chief.
Sheila Flavell, CBE, COO of FDM Group said: “These AI tools do not have the discernment or judgement of actual human recruiters, who would evaluate genuine skills and experience needed for the role. Human oversight is essential as AI becomes increasingly implemented for hiring purposes, to ensure women returning to work are given the same opportunities as other candidates.”
AI is increasingly becoming part of the recruitment process. According to a recent CV-Library survey of nearly 500 recruiters and over 1,000 candidates, 83% of recruiters say they use AI to speed up or make hiring more efficient, while 21% say they use it specifically to screen CVs.
With women statistically more likely to take a career break than men, AI CV screening tools could create greater barriers for women returning to work after a career break.
Sheila Flavell added: “Women play a vital role in the future success of the technology industry and returners in particular hold invaluable skills and experiences that can help the sector grow. Human recruiters are able to recognise the value of candidates returning from career breaks, such as maternity leave, and the transferable skills they bring.”
Studies show that candidates with career gaps in their CVs are 45% less likely to receive job interviews.
Concerns are growing around AI screening tools flagging professional gaps as a negative and using it as ground for rejecting, or at least downgrading, a CV. This can unintentionally penalise women, risking the reinforcement of existing biases in the technology sector, rather than removing them.
FDM Group has achieved a mean gender pay gap of 1.7%, compared to the UK average mean gender pay gap of 10.7%, due to its commitment to achieving gender equality through initiatives like its Returners Programme.
FDM’s latest gender pay gap figures show a median gender pay gap of -6.9% in favour of female employees. The company also reports a median bonus pay gap of -8.5% in favour of females, and 1.9% mean bonus pay gap.
