Hiring Practices and Roles for Women in Sign Companies

DO YOU OR DON’T YOU: Plus, expectations for ownership levels for women by 2030.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

Signs of the Times Staff Signs of the Times April 2024 Issue

QUESTION:

Does your company have a policy or intention to hire women and minorities?

Yes: 39%

We are a woman-owned business and for that reason we are intentional in creating access to the industry for those most underrepresented. — Sarah Dixon, Unified Sign and Design, Louisville, KY
As a minority owner in a [non-minority] dominant industry, more diversity is needed. — Earl Walker, Image360 Tucker, Tucker, GA
Helps to broaden our staff’s vision, our reach into the community and creates opportunities on many levels. It is good for business. — Steven Carpenter, Archetype, Minneapolis
We look for a diverse workforce. — Todd Sallas, Coastal Signs & Graphics, Slocomb, AL

No: 61%

We have a very diverse workforce but not by design. We hire the best candidates, and women and minorities have met that standard. — Alan Olinger, Houston Sign Co., Houston
We offer Equal Opportunity Employment but we don’t seek a certain gender or race. If the applicant is qualified and has work ethics and is respectful then I would hire them without prejudice. — Stephen Satterwhite, Signs Designed of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
It doesn’t matter — women, men or minorities. Opportunities are the same for all. — Marco Milliotti, Image360 South Orlando, Orlando, FL
We hire the best person, with no discriminating factors. We would hire Barney the dinosaur if we felt that he was our best choice to do the job needed. — Jim Brewer, Tennessee Sign Co., Murfreesboro, TN

Editor’s Note: Many respondents who answered “yes” provided comments similar to those answering “no” — that they are equal-opportunity employers — so the actual percentage of companies with an express policy or intention to hire women or minorities is lower than 39%.

One Quick Question:

If your company employs one or more women, in what area(s) do they work?

QUESTION:

Women comprise 20% of sign company owners and top managers according to our 2024 Big Survey. What do you expect the percentage to be in 2030?

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a signage and graphics company in the US or Canada, you’re invited to join the Signs of the Times Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute survey each month, you will receive access to some of the industry’s freshest data on sales — including your fellow members’ comments on what’s selling and what isn’t — and can make your voice heard on key issues affecting the sign industry. Sound good? Sign up here.

Signs of the Times Staff

Signs of the Times has been the world leader in sign information since 1906. Contact Signs of the Times' editors at editor@signsofthetimes.com.

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