Diversity, Inclusion and Team-working

Question 1

What are the 9 protected characteristics of the UK’s Equality Act 2010?

Answer 1

• Gender reassignment
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Disability
• Race
• Religion
• Marriage and partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity

Question 2

What is unconscious bias?

Answer 2

• Associations we hold which are deeply ingrained and outside our conscious awareness/control
• These associations are influenced by attitudes formed from our experiences, during our upbringing and education, and the environments in which we work and live

Question 3

How do you address it if its unconscious / what can you do about it?

Answer 3

• Awareness (knowing what it is and that it exists) and training
• On recruitment – CVs without names, age

Question 4

How could your company improve diversity in the workplace and subsequent benefits?

Answer 4

• Recruitment techniques which recognise unconscious biases
• Inclusive communication
• Practices exceeding legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010
• Training programmes aimed at increasing awareness and reducing influence of unconscious bias

Question 5

What are characteristics of a good team player?

Answer 5

• Listening to other people’s ideas
• Discussing – ask questions
• Respect
• Sharing information – positive work environment
• Participating – all members get involved
• Communication
• Reflection – identify strengths and weaknesses of team members

Question 6

Give an example of when you have worked across teams?

Answer 6

When I was in the leasing team, I noticed that there was an upcoming rent review in one of our properties so I informed someone from our lease advisory team who then got in contact with the landlord and they were later instructed.

Question 7

How is RICS addressing diversity and inclusion?

Answer 7

• Signed a Memorandum of Understanding Action Plan intended to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive sector to be representative of the society it serves
• Bichard Review requires RICS to improve diversity an inclusion – help educate, promote profession and awareness of what surveyors do

Question 8

How would you deal with a disruptive member of your team?

Answer 8

Communicate with them – find out the reason they are being disruptive. Look to help and address it. Report to your supervisor/HR if appropriate

Question 9

What’s the benefit of having a diverse team?

Answer 9

Moral benefits – it’s the right thing to do
Legal benefits – complying with the Equality Act 2010
Business benefits – you have a workforce that represents the people that you work with and offers lots of different views. You don’t want the same people making the decisions and things don’t change