PPA Good Hiring Code

Hiring that’s fair, inclusive, and diverse isn’t just a trend – it’s smart business. Companies that prioritise equitable hiring outperform their peers in productivity, innovation, and revenue. That’s why we’ve launched the PPA Good Hiring Code, a voluntary commitment that PPA members can use to demonstrate excellence in inclusive hiring. This is backed by the Good Hiring Guide, filled with practical guidance to help media organisations navigate the entire recruitment process, ensuring inclusivity and best practice at every stage.

The members-only resource (which you can download further down this page), was developed with input from PPA members and the Next Gen Board, and it provides actionable insights for companies of all sizes. It also supports your efforts to meet new legal requirements, including the government’s latest employment law changes.

What does the Code do?

The PPA Good Hiring Code sets a clear framework for companies committed to achieving best practice in inclusive hiring. It holds adopters to high standards across the entire recruitment process, ensuring that their practices are fair, equitable, and aligned with industry-leading approaches.

Adopters of the PPA Good Hiring Code agree to…

1. Actively promote diversity, recognising that a diverse workforce drives better business through improved innovation, productivity, and decision-making.	2. Our organisation values and champions diversity, recruiting in a way that’s free from bias or discrimination, seeking the best candidates based on their skills, values, and potential alongside their experience.	3. Whenever possible, all screening and interviews will be conducted by a team of hiring managers representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and areas of expertise.
4. Before meeting candidates, all hiring staff will be internally assessed as capable to hire and will have received regular training that covers unconscious bias and discrimination.	5. All job applications will be acknowledged, and candidates will be kept informed of their application status at relevant stages, with clear timelines provided for each step of the process.	6. Job roles will only include the legitimate skills and experience necessary to perform the role and, wherever possible, will exclude formal qualifications.
7. Job roles and advertisements will use inclusive, gender-neutral language and avoid jargon or unnecessarily complex language, ensuring they are easy to understand.	8. Job advertisements will include clear salary or salary band details to promote transparency and equity.	9. We are committed to making our hiring process accessible to all candidates. Adjustments will be fully supported, such as providing video rather than written applications, offering sign language interpreters, or providing additional time for assessments.
10. Where candidates are taken forward for interview, they will receive timely follow-up and specific feedback. Candidates can provide feedback on the hiring process, which we will use to continuously improve our practices.	11. All internships will be paid in line with or above the National Living Wage (in London, the London Living Wage) and will offer meaningful work experience, mentorship, and development opportunities.	12. New starters will be provided with a structured onboarding experience, including role-specific training, information on DE&I, learning and progression opportunities, and the organisation’s vision and values. Continuous development opportunities and regular check-ins will be provided to support their growth and integration into their team.

What resources are available?

Adopters of the Code are supported by comprehensive guidelines to help them implement fair, inclusive, and effective hiring practices. The PPA Good Hiring Guide equips companies with the tools to build an inclusive, high-performing workforce.

This content is for PPA members only.
Create Account

Already a member? Log in here

How to get involved

Is your business committed to good hiring? PPA members who demonstrate the principles of the Code have access to the PPA Good Hiring Code Certification Mark, comprehensive brand usage guidelines, and The PPA Good Hiring Guide – your complete hiring toolkit.

Sign-up to become an adopter

Further resources

To launch the PPA Good Hiring Code, we hosted a webinar where we explored the key challenges and opportunities for inclusive recruitment. Covering the use of AI in hiring, as well as discussing the approaches Immediate, TTG Media, and Haymarket have taken to attract and retain the right talent.

Any questions?

Get in touch with the PPA’s Talent & Inclusion Lead, Genevieve Miller.