10. DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & TEAMWORKING

Question 1

What are some types of teams?

Answer 1

• Office Teams.
• Project Teams.
• Accounts Teams.
• Design Teams.

Question 2

What are some examples of Team Working you have demonstrated?

Answer 2

• This will be specific to the candidates own experience.
• In your response it is beneficial to explain in the past tense, the experience you have gained working as part of the team, key principles may be based around:-
  o Utilising the teams strengths and weaknesses.
  o Harnessing the expertise of each specialist within the team.
  o Problems that the team overcame.
  o Explain how the team decided on a strategy.
  o Explain the end outcome.
  o Explain how the team communicated and worked towards a common goal.

Question 3

What is the Tuckman Theory?

Answer 3

• Bruce Tuckman’s theory focuses on how a team approaches a task.
• Originally the theory consisted of 4 separate phases however later on a 5th phase was included.

Question 4

What is the Herzberg Theory?

Answer 4

• Frederick Herzberg’s theory is a two factor motivational theory based on hygiene and motivational factors:-
  o Workers are encouraged to work harder based on motivational factors such as empowerment, job enlargement and job enrichment.
  o Workers can become de-motivated if hygiene factors are not met such as remuneration, comfortable working conditions and annual leave entitlement.

Question 5

What is workplace diversity?

Answer 5

• Diversity in the workplace relates to the acceptance and inclusion of employees of all backgrounds.
• Ensuring diversity in the workplace is an important asset of an organisation as it acknowledges the individual strengths of each employee and the potential they bring.

Question 6

What are some advantages of a diverse team?

Answer 6

• Increased productivity - A diversity of talent will result in a broader range of skills amongst the team and result in increased productivity.
• Increased creativity - Differing skill sets and perspectives within the team will increase the chance of generating solutions to workplace problems.
• Improved cultural awareness - A diverse range of cultures within the workplace allows companies to operate more effectively within a global market place. For example, having access to an employee who speaks Mandarin will be a great asset for a company operating in China.
• A positive reputation - Companies that have a diverse workplace are often perceived as better employers. Potential employees want an employer who accepts and is tolerant of all backgrounds and who treats their employees fairly

Question 7

What are inclusive environments?

Answer 7

• A culturally inclusive environment requires mutual respect, effective relationships, clear
  communication, understanding of expectations and critical self-reflection.
• Within an inclusive environment, people of all cultural orientations can freely express who they are, their own opinions and points of view.

Question 8

Why are inclusive environments important?

Answer 8

• According to Deloitte’s article on diversity and inclusion, it states, “A growing body of research indicates that diverse and inclusive teams outperform their peers. Companies with inclusive talent practices in hiring, promotion, development, leadership, and team management generate up to 30 percent higher revenue per employee and greater profitability than their competitors’’

Question 9

What legislation or regulations relate to inclusive environments?

Answer 9

• The main legislation within the UK that applies to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are the Equality Act 2010 and The Human Rights Act 1998.

Question 10

Please explain your understanding of inclusion within the workplace?

Answer 10

• Inclusion within the workplace is creating an environment and culture where all company employees feel like they belong in the organisation.
• This results in every employee being comfortable to voice their opinions and that no one person feels excluded on the basis of their identity.

Question 11

What is meant by the term unconscious bias?

Answer 11

• Unconscious bias refers to the associations and assumptions that a person may have about someone solely because of their race, gender or disability.
• These judgements are made without conscious awareness.
• These automatic assumptions and stereotypes are a major contributor to a lack of workplace diversity.