--- title: Diversity Surveys slug: diversity-surveys docTags: Q8ybmLzCVRwObhV8PY0MU createdAt: 2025-07-10T11:52:40.796Z --- [Diversity Surveys](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/organizational-settings/surveys/diversity-surveys) let you collect voluntary demographic information from candidates, such as gender, ethnicity, veteran status, or disability status, so you can assess how representative your pipeline is at each stage of the hiring process. Teams use this data to track progress against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals, spot stages where underrepresented candidates drop off, and support EEO and self-identification reporting. You can share a survey with candidates in three ways: on the job application form, as a one-off request from a candidate’s profile, or automatically when a candidate moves into a specific stage. Responses are stored separately from the application review process, so interviewers and hiring managers don’t see an individual candidate’s answers while making hiring decisions. # Permissions & access Diversity Surveys are available on all plans: | Foundations | Legacy Plus | Plus | Enterprise | | ----------- | ----------- | ---- | ---------- | | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | :::hint{type="warning"} Only Organization Admins can configure Diversity Surveys. Organization Admins and Elevated Access users with the `Can See Candidate Profiles` and `Can Email/Schedule Candidates` permission stripes can send Diversity Surveys to candidates. See [Manage Access Roles](docId\:be1Gtv2R0jGx_Do5mdNR_) for more information on user permissions. ::: # Setting up your Diversity Surveys You can set up diversity surveys in the [Admin section](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/organizational-settings/surveys/diversity-surveys) of the app. 1. Navigate to **Admin > Jobs & Applications > [Candidate Surveys](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/organizational-settings/surveys/diversity-surveys) > **`Diversity` and click the `+ New` button. ::Image[]{src="https://cdn.zappy.app/1f0474810fc37666ad80f9149f219487.png" size="100" alt="Ashby Admin page showing Candidate Surveys under Surveys & Questionnaires, with the Diversity tab and + New button highlighted." isUploading="false" width="1438" height="750" darkWidth="1438" darkHeight="750" showCaption="false" indent="1"} 2. You are prompted to give your new survey a title before you can add questions. Add a **Title** and click `Submit`. 3. Click `Add Question`, then select a question type to build your survey. ::Image[]{src="https://cdn.zappy.app/f76abecc676dad9cc96c133798babe96.png" size="80" alt="Screenshot of the question type selector when adding a question to a diversity survey" isUploading="false" width="894" height="432" darkWidth="894" darkHeight="432" showCaption="false" indent="1"} :::Paragraph{indent="1"} You can select the following field types: ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Short Answer ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Long Unformatted Answer ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Phone ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Email ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Multiple Choice ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Checkboxes ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Date ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Yes/No ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Number ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} Other Location ::: :::Paragraph{listStyleType="disc" indent="2"} URL ::: :::hint{type="info"} Each question in your survey has three icons for managing the question field: ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/i1w52LhlMk7IC97H7Lyn8_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-90333-am.jpg" size="80" isUploading="false" width="833" height="195" darkWidth="833" darkHeight="195" alt="Ashby Diversity survey question showing controls to preview, copy, or delete the question." showCaption="false"} - **Eye icon**: Sets conditions that determine when the question appears to the candidate. This is useful when you want a question to show only if a candidate answers a previous question in a specific way. Click the `eye icon` to configure your conditions, then click `Save`. Once saved, the eye icon turns purple to indicate the field is conditional. For full details on setting up conditions, see [Conditional Form Fields](docId:0Djc8ec1xuE0JLdgPOcfH). - **Copy icon**: Duplicates the question field. - **Trash icon**: Deletes the question field. ::: ## Adding sections To group related questions, you can add a section to your survey. Click `Add Section`, then give your section a title. You can also add a description to the section to provide context to the candidate before they answer the questions in that group by clicking the `Add description` button. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/lEVeem2diVIk0BChZpYVG_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-84928-am.jpg" size="80" isUploading="false" width="852" height="568" darkWidth="852" darkHeight="568" alt="Ashby Diversity survey form showing options to add a description, add questions, and add a new section." showCaption="false"} ## Reordering questions and sections To change the order of questions or sections, click `Reorder` and drag them into position. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/lCeacAwUPNJj4StTWJNVj_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-85243-am.jpg" size="80" isUploading="false" width="848" height="559" darkWidth="848" darkHeight="559" alt="Ashby Diversity survey form with the Reorder menu open, showing survey questions that can be dragged to change their order." showCaption="false"} ## Copying and archiving surveys Two additional options are available at the top of any existing survey: - **Copy**: Creates a duplicate of the survey. Use this as the starting point for a new survey. - **Archive**: Removes the survey from active use. Archived surveys cannot be sent to candidates but can be restored at any time. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/kTBQr3R5xwHKHFzW5YAGb_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-85541-am.jpg" size="80" isUploading="false" width="855" height="357" darkWidth="855" darkHeight="357" alt="Ashby Diversity survey form with the Copy and Archive buttons highlighted." showCaption="false"} # Sharing your surveys Diversity surveys can be shared in three different ways: ## Collecting on the application tab of each job Collect a diversity survey on your job postings by enabling the `Collect alongside application on job postings?` toggle within the survey `Settings` tab. ::Image[]{src="https://cdn.zappy.app/86ef54d0a8e9e61b85eee6621e49665c.png" size="80" alt="Screenshot of a diversity survey appearing alongside the application form on a job page" isUploading="false" width="897" height="402" darkWidth="897" darkHeight="402" showCaption="false"} - **Survey description: **An internal description for this survey. This will not be shown to candidates. - **Collect alongside application on job postings?: **Choose whether the survey questions should be added to your application. - **Filtering which job postings show the survey: **If you leave the filter blank, the survey is collected on all job postings. To limit the survey to specific postings, click `+ Filter `and set the criteria a job posting must meet for it to appear in the survey. Toggle `Advanced` to add more specific filters. When enabled, the survey appears alongside the application form when a candidate applies on your jobs pages. ## Directly requesting surveys You can directly request a survey from the candidate profile: 1. On the candidate profile, click the `More` dropdown. 2. Select `Create a Diversity Survey Request`. 3. Choose which survey to send and which application to associate it with. 4. Click `Create` to create the survey request, or optionally click `Create and Email` to also schedule an email with a link to the survey. ::loom{url="https://www.loom.com/embed/830eeaf0a3a04d669429f8cb27f16631"} ## Setting up automation rules You can set up automation rules so that you don't need to directly request surveys from candidates manually. Instead, you can set up a series of conditions that trigger automatically sending a survey to a candidate. :::hint{type="info"} Our article on [Utilizing Stage Groups](docId:8ypvcP02S-0aiiEloOmRx) walks through the different fields you can select to customize the automation. ::: To set up automation for your diversity survey: 1. Navigate to the `Automation` tab. 2. Click `Get Started` to create a new draft configuration of automation rules. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/PBod31slW45sh7SSQyg2w_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-93606-am.jpg" size="70" isUploading="false" width="850" height="440" darkWidth="850" darkHeight="440" alt="Ashby Diversity survey Automation tab showing no automation configuration and a Get Started button to set up trigger conditions." showCaption="false" indent="1"} 3. Click `+ Add Field to Match` to specify your conditions, then choose fields and create filters based on those. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/Whk3UzBe6Nu8r7Yx6qVHl_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-93837-am.jpg" size="80" isUploading="false" width="850" height="674" darkWidth="850" darkHeight="674" alt="Ashby Diversity survey Automation Configuration showing fields to set conditions, select an email template and delay, choose a sender email address, and create additional automation rules." showCaption="false" indent="1"} 4. Select an email template from the `Email Template` dropdown to use for sending out your survey. :::hint{type="warning" indent="1"} The email template must include the `Diversity Survey Link` token to appear in this dropdown. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/5tmbg0XOHttVGCK7HrBew_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-94335-am.jpg" size="50" isUploading="false" width="390" height="68" darkWidth="390" darkHeight="68" alt="Email template text showing a “Diversity Survey Link” token beneath the message, “You can complete the survey using the link below.”" showCaption="false"} ::: 5. Configure any email delay using the `Delay` dropdown. 6. Specify a sender email address. 7. Click `Save & Publish`. 8. Toggle on `Enable Survey Automation` once the draft has been activated. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/FaELQpdqJSAejdPPKOs62_diversity-diversity-survey-ashby-2026-10-20-at-94530-am.jpg" size="80" isUploading="false" width="851" height="613" darkWidth="851" darkHeight="613" alt="Ashby Diversity survey Automation tab showing an enabled automation configured to send the Diversity Survey email immediately when a candidate’s current interview stage type changes to Hired." showCaption="false" indent="1"} Ashby checks the conditions of each rule whenever a candidate changes stages. Ashby finds the first matching rule, creates a survey, and schedules an email with a link to the survey. # Report on your results Custom Reports can be configured on the Legacy Plus, Plus, and Enterprise plans: | Foundations | Legacy Plus | Plus | Enterprise | | ----------- | ----------- | ---- | ---------- | | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | :::hint{type="warning"} Organization Admins and Elevated Access users with both the `Can see candidate profiles` and `Can see private fields`permission stripes can view diversity data in reports See [Manage Access Roles](docId\:be1Gtv2R0jGx_Do5mdNR_) for more information on permissions. Who can create and edit DEI reports depends on the **Restrict editing DEI reports** setting, found in **Admin > Data Management > [Reporting Permissions](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/organizational-settings/reporting-permissions)**. If the **Restrict editing DEI reports** setting is disabled, any user who can view DEI data can also create and edit reports that use DEI fields. If the **Restrict editing DEI reports** setting is enabled: - Only users with the `Can create and update DEI reports` permission can create or edit reports that use DEI fields. - Users without this permission can still view saved reports that include DEI fields, but they can’t edit them. - The Organization Admin who enables the setting automatically receives this permission. - Admins with this permission can give it to other users or remove it from the user’s profile on the **Employees** page. See [Limiting who can edit DEI reports](https://docs.ashbyhq.com/diversity-surveys#limiting-who-can-edit-DEI-reports) for more information. ::: You can report on the questions in a diversity survey in our standard reports. The fields are available for grouping under **Job Consideration > Diversity Survey**. ![Screen Shot 2022-02-18 at 12.57.48 PM.png](https://cdn.zappy.app/39db06066939411f296d4c86fbebb382.png) ## Limiting who can edit DEI reports To get started, switch on the **Restrict editing DEI reports** feature in **Admin > Data Management >** **[Reporting Permissions](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/organizational-settings/reporting-permissions)**. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/6xm02GL4_PU7BwE0q2ENE_reporting-permissions-ashby-2026-10-20-at-94830-am.jpg" size="90" isUploading="false" width="1316" height="367" darkWidth="1316" darkHeight="367" alt="Ashby Reporting Permissions page showing the Creating and Editing DEI Reports section with an option to restrict editing DEI reports to users with the appropriate permission." showCaption="false"} When the setting is enabled, users without edit or create access to DEI reports cannot select DEI fields as Fields to Show or Group By fields. Saved reports containing those fields are still visible, but the reports are not editable. ![Screenshot of a user profile on the Employees admin page](https://cdn.zappy.app/0e612b021989099319736879bacee65c.png) Once enabled, you can then also determine who can edit these reports in each user's profile on the [Employees](https://app.ashbyhq.com/admin/users) page. In a user's profile, you see the option to allow them to create and update DEI reports on the `Permissions` tab. ::Image[]{src="https://cdn.zappy.app/c5997275294b11c1c85fc70a56a97949.png" size="60" alt="Screenshot of the Permissions tab in a user's profile showing the option to create and update DEI reports" isUploading="false" width="553" height="484" darkWidth="553" darkHeight="484" showCaption="false"} Admins with the `Can Create and Update DEI Reports` permission can grant or revoke the permission for others. :::hint{type="info"} The permission is automatically granted to the admin user who enables the **Restrict Editing DEI Reports** setting. ::: # FAQ ### How do I view pending surveys? You can view any pending survey requests on the candidate profile under **Current Activities**. From here, you can email the survey again or delete the request. ::Image[]{src="https://cdn.zappy.app/e5b1c8a58cbd36dce5f41b77c6592039.png" size="80" alt="Screenshot of the Current Activities section on a candidate profile showing a pending diversity survey request" isUploading="false" width="866" height="313" darkWidth="866" darkHeight="313" showCaption="false"} ### What does the survey look like to the candidate? When a candidate follows the link in a survey request email, they are taken to a page where they can complete the survey. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/AYsAKZuvOlfjlTRF8_gha_screenshot2022-02-18at125625pm.png" size="80" alt="Screenshot of the candidate-facing diversity survey page" isUploading="false" width="3532" height="1690" darkWidth="3532" darkHeight="1690" showCaption="false"} ### When are a survey's automation conditions evaluated? Ashby evaluates the conditions in survey delivery automation settings during stage transition events. This means a candidate needs to move to the next stage or be archived for a survey to be sent. ### Where can I access diversity survey responses? You can only view diversity survey responses in aggregate through our reporting functionality. We put measures in place to prevent reporting from pinpointing a candidate (e.g., drill-downs are disabled). If a candidate completes a diversity survey, neither the activity nor their responses appear on their candidate profile. ### Are surveys anonymous? Yes; by default, diversity survey responses are anonymous.