Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking (L1)

Question 1

What is your understanding of direct and indirect discrimination?

Answer 1

Guidance: Equality Act 2010

Direct Discrimination

• Occurs when someone is treated less favourably due to protected characteristic
• Age, race, gender, sex, religion, disability, pregnant women

Indirect Discrimination

• Occurs when practices or policies are in place which indirectly discriminates against the protected characteristics
• How certain practices or policies might disadvantage a group of people

Question 2

What is meant by the term unconscious bias?

Answer 2

• Automatic often unintentional stereotyping
• Without being aware of it
• Recognising and addressing unconscious bias is an important step toward creation of a more equitable and inclusive environment

Question 3

What legislation and guidance are you are of relating to diversity, inclusion and team working?

Answer 3

Equality Act 2010
- Protected characteristics, direct and indirect discrimination, protected characteristics

Building Regulations Part M
- Access to and use of buildings

BS8300
- Design of an accessible and all inclusive environment

RICS Professional Standard on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2024
- More focus on modern diversity of working arrangements, personal circumstances, culture, opportunity

RICS Rules of Conduct No4
- Treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion

Question 4

What is the business value of diversity?

Answer 4

• Increased productivity
• Increased skill set and ideas
• Enhanced employee retention
• Broader talent pool
• Improved company reputation

Question 5

What have you learnt about anti-harassment?

Answer 5

• Creates respectful, inclusive and productive work environments
• Employers responsibility
• Provide training and awareness
• Supportive work environment
• Reporting and resolving complaints

Type of harassment include:

• Sexual harassment, unwanted sexual advances
• Racial or ethnic harassment, mocking, belittling
• Disability harassment, remarks or jokes
• Bullying, persistent mistreatment

Question 6

What have you learnt about direct and indirect discrimination?

Answer 6

Direct discrimination:

• Treating someone or a group of people less favourably due to a protected characteristic

Indirect discrimination:

• More subtle form of discrimination where seemingly normal practices or policies are in place which affects an individual or a group of people based on their protected characteristic

Question 7

What is unconscious bias? How do you avoid it?

Answer 7

• Automatic judgmental or stereotype of a specific protected characteristic
• Often unintentional

How to avoid it

• Raise awareness
• Adequate training and development
• Promote multicultural practices
• Diversify teams and leadership
• Challenge stereotypes
• Use data to inform decisions

Question 8

How do you make your workplace a fair and inclusive environment?

Answer 8

• Be aware of the protected characteristics, review the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation
• Raise awareness of unconscious bias (stereotyping)
• Raise awareness of indirect discrimination
• Adhere to RICS Rules of Conduct No4 - Treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
• Undergo training and awareness
• Challenge unconscious bias
• Understand reporting procedures
• Lead by example
• Diversify workforce and management