Diversity and Inclusion

Question 1

What is the legislation to consider?

Answer 1

• Equality Act 2010 – covers 9 protective characteristics
  o Gender/gender identity
  o Age
  o Race
  o Marriage and civil partnership
  o Pregnancy and maternity
  o Sexual orientation
  o Disability
  o Religion or belief
  o Sex

Question 2

What is your firm doing to improve diversity and inclusion?

Answer 2

• Blind hiring practices
• Flexibility of working from home or outwith 9 to 5 hours for parents etc.
• Rules on work experience or hiring in terms of nepotism
• Apprenticeship scheme this year

Question 3

What is unconscious bias?

Answer 3

• Underlying attitudes and stereotypes that people unconsciously attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they engage with that person or group

Question 4

How do you combat unconscious bias?

Answer 4

• Workplace training
• Pay particular attention to the bias associated with the 9 protected characteristics
• Speak out if you notice bias in your team or by your managers
• Blind recruitment processes (initial stages)

Question 5

Why is team working important?

Answer 5

• Range of ideas
• Collaboration can improve efficiency
• Better working relationships can improve employee retention and loyalty