Diversity, Inclusion and Team Working & Inclusive Environments Flashcards
What are the benefits of teamworking?
- Improved performance.
- Improved job satisfaction.
Down sides of teamworking?
- Poor selection of team members (the wrong mix of personality types and skills)
- Inadequate resources
- Poor leadership
What are the characteristics of an effective team?
- Open communication
- Collaboration
- Trust
- Clear leadership
- Clear understanding of the team ‘s objectives.
- Adequate resources to achieve those objectives.
- Valuing of members’ strengths and respecting their weaknesses.
What is unconscious bias?
When a decision or judgement is made based on prior experience or assumptions and we are not aware that we are doing it.
What benefit does diversity have in teams?
This creates an opportunity for a range of skills and abilities to achieve a common goal. Which increases:
- Productivity
- Creativity.
Can you provide an example of unconscious bias?
Overhearing a colleague saying an inappropriate comment in the office and thinking “there must be a misunderstanding” because that doesn’t align with your positive view of that person.
What are protective characteristics?
The right to not to be subjected to an unfair disadvantage, by reason of that characteristic there are 9 defined in the Equality Act 2010, these are:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
What’s the main point of the Equality Act 2010?
Legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
Did the Equality Act replace any previous laws?
The Act replaced several previous laws making the law easier to understand these were:
* Sex Discrimination Act 1975
* Race Relations Act 1976
* Disability Discrimination Act 1995
What is workplace diversity?
The acceptance and inclusion of employees of all backgrounds.
This acknowledges each employee and the potential they bring.
How does diversity differ from inclusion?
Diversity: The variation of social characteristics.
Inclusion: The procedures implemented to integrate everyone regardless of their characteristics in the workplace.
What are some types of teams?
- Office Teams.
- Project Teams.
- Accounts Teams.
- Design Teams.
What are some examples of Team Working you have demonstrated?
I recently project managed a portfolio of residential refurbishment projects where I worked as part of a project team to deliver the schemes.
One of the strategies we used was to regularly update a live working document with any variations to keep track of the projected costs to ensure the scheme did not run over budget.
This enabled a senior colleague to meet with the client on a weekly basis to update them on progress and project costs.
The whole team met fortnightly to discuss any lessons learnt which we carried forward throughout the scheme and the project was successfully delivered on time and on budget.
What are some advantages of a diverse team?
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.
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.
What are the 3 common barriers to equality diversity and inclusion?
- Unconscious bias.
- Lack of representation.
- Privilege.
Have you ever worked with someone you didn’t get along with?
No, I have always generally got along with people I have worked with.
I always act professionally and understand that people communicate in various ways and often express themselves in different ways; I don’t take this personally enough to not get along with them.
What is the Latham report?
A report commissioned by the UK Government, to looking into the apparent failings of the construction industry as a whole.
The Latham report led to the creation of the Construction Industry Board (CIB) in 1995 to oversee implementation of its recommendations.
The report described the industry as ineffective, adversarial, fragmented and incapable of delivering for its clients.
What is the RICS inclusive employer mark?
The Inclusive Employer Quality Mark aims to drive behaviour change by encouraging all organisations, large and small, to look carefully at their employment practices and have inclusivity at the heart of what they do.
How would you deal with a member of the team who is negative towards a particular task and is disruptive?
I would speak to the team member on a one to one basis and ask if they’re is anything wrong.
I would air my thoughts and see if they understand why and what we are doing.
This could be escalated to a line manager for further review.
When a new member joins your team, how do you welcome them?
Get to know them and what experience they have.
I delegate a few small jobs to them, have meetings, explain the goal and ‘check in’ regularly.
What skills have you got that contribute towards teamworking?
I am a positive person and can identify when people are struggling.
I am Patient and good at sharing my experience to help others understand and learn.
What is DEI?
Diversity: is who we are as humans, we are all diverse and different in our own way.
Equity: Recognises that not all employees will have been given an equal chance either growing up or as they entered the workplace.
Inclusion: Is part of a workplace’s culture and is a choice to include or exclude people from conversations, projects or events.
Are you aware of any new RICS guidance relating to Diversity and Inclusion?
The RICS have recently published 6 new documents called to support DEI called: Developing an Inclusive Culture.
These documents provide guidance on:
- Inclusive Culture
- Everyday life at work
- Inclusive recruitment
- Career progression and development
- Inclusive policies and procedures
- Inclusive spaces
What is an inclusive culture?
Developing a feeling of belonging in the workplace which can drive us to work harder and increase job satisfaction.
Culture in the workplace is created through: sharing values, beliefs and behaviours which set out how people interact and work together.
Engaging with the team and lead by example!
What is inclusive recruitment?
It involves creating an open and accessible hiring process that removes barriers and biases that may prevent individuals from underrepresented groups from applying or being successful.
What are inclusive spaces?
Creating environments that accommodate the diverse needs and abilities of all individuals.
What is an inclusive environment?
A place that everyone can use.
Accessed and used safely, easily by everyone.
Does not physically or socially separate, discriminate or isolate people to:
- Freely express who they are.
- Fully participate in work and social activities.
- Feel safe from abuse, harassment, or unfair criticism.
What’s the importance of an inclusive environment at work?
Inclusion within the workplace creates an environment where all employees:
- Feel valued.
- Feel comfortable to voice opinions.
- No one feels excluded based on their identity.
