Businesses and institutions are increasingly applying data, algorithms, and AI to support their workforce decisions—from hiring and promotion to productivity and compensation.
These technologies help companies identify talent in larger and more diverse pools of candidates, better match the right talent to the right opportunity, personalize employee experiences, and automate routine tasks to free up time for more meaningful work. However, the technology also introduces the risk of potentially worsening unfair bias, as identified by Alliance member organizations.
Because most algorithmic systems used to support workforce decisions are introduced and maintained by vendors—including software providers, professional networking sites, benefits planners, and recruiting firms—we have developed Algorithmic Bias Safeguards for Workforce, criteria and education for HR teams to evaluate vendors on their ability to detect, mitigate, and monitor algorithmic bias in workforce decisions.
The Safeguards were developed by a working group of member company experts in human resources; artificial intelligence; IT; procurement; legal; AI model evaluation; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. They were then tested and refined with input from vendors, academia, civil society organizations, and subject matter experts in business. In total, more than 200 experts were involved in the process.
55 questions in 13 categories for completion by the HR vendor. Answers are not shared among member companies.
To enhance algorithmic literacy and to provide detailed guidance for HR teams assessing vendor responses to the Evaluation.
To qualitatively grade and compare vendors and document issues.
For integrating the Safeguards into an organization’s systems. The Safeguards supplement member companies’ vendor selection procedures.
The Algorithmic Bias Safeguards were launched in December 2021 with 13 Alliance member companies committing to adopt the Safeguard criteria with vendors supporting their HR functions.
Please contact us to review the Algorithmic Bias Safeguards for Workforce version 1.0 and learn more.