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How diverse is Spotify as a workplace
Diversity Report

How diverse is Spotify as a workplace?

Spotify claims that its platform is for everyone, and so is its workplace. But how really diverse is Spotify as an employer? Moonshot takes a look at the company’s latest diversity data, published in the 2020 Sustainability Report.

The popular music streaming service has grown last year, with almost 1,700 new employees joining its workforce, across 73 countries – bringing the total numbers of Spotifers across the globe to 6,554 (from about 300 in 2011). 

This rapid growth over the last years gave Spotify an opportunity to create systems and policies that aim to contribute to a more inclusive workplace and higher employee retention rates.

Even though the latest diversity data included in the Sustainability Report are not so thorough, it is clear that over the last several years (2017 vs. 2020), the Swedish company has seen improvements made in key demographic communities. 

Included in these positive progression points are: 

  • Global population of women has grown from 36% to 44%. 
  • Hispanic or Latinx community in the U.S. has grown from 5% to 7.8%.
  • Black community in the U.S. has grown from 3.7% to 8.3%.
  • Asian community in the U.S. has grown from 17% to 19%. 

Regarding representation in leadership, women in leadership positions increased from 25% in 2017 to 40% in 2020 globally, while people of color in leadership representation is at 23% in the U.S. (there were no global data available in this area).

“Μore work to be done”

Despite the progress Spotify has made in diversifying its workforce, the company makes it clear that “more work needs to be done.”

“As we continue to grow as a company, we are seeing positive steps forward in progress as it relates to our workforce representation,” Spotify notes in the report. But even though the company says it is heading in the right direction, it admits that it still needs “to continue to take intentional and measurable steps forward to accelerate greater diverse representation in hiring and in leadership ranks.”

“While we have seen progress, we acknowledge this is not where we want to be – we have more work to be done. We do see that 1) taking intentional actions, 2) curating relevant recruiting strategies, and 3) having a hiring team that is aware, focused and informed on DIB is the right formula for success.”

Inclusive hiring and recruiting

In an effort to positively impact inclusive hiring, Spotify is offering a number of programs for underrepresented early career starters. For example, the Amplified Mentorship Program in its Swedish offices – a 15-week program for women and non-binary identifying students who are interested in a career in the tech industry – and the Technology Fellowship Program – an 18-week development program for aspiring software engineers just entering the professional tech environment from a diverse set of backgrounds.

In 2020, Spotify expanded its commitment to accelerating diversity through a revised team structure, hiring Henry Bolden, as Manager, Inclusive Hiring & Development – a dedicated resource to help develop and lead the organization in its commitment. 

The company also introduced Inclusive hiring strategies that identified aspirational goals to increase U.S. representation of Black talent in its workforce. Through external market analysis, headcount forecasting and succession planning, they have defined a roadmap to increasing diverse representation.

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