Diversity, inclusion and teamworking

Question 1

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 1

• Discrimination law which protects individuals form unfair treatment
• Promotes a fair and equal society
• Provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advances equality of opportunity for all

Question 2

What is equal opportunity?

Answer 2

Ensuring everybody has an equal chance to take up opportunities and to make full use of the opportunities on offer and to fulfil their potential

Question 3

How would you define diversity?

Answer 3

• A wide range of diverse characteristics

- Diversity can apply to culture, gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexuality, etc.

Question 4

What is inclusion in the workplace?

Answer 4

A work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources and can contribute fully to the organisation’s success

Question 5

Why is diversity in the workplace important?

Answer 5

• Brings different perspectives and ideas
• Beneficial to making the company’s offerings more rounded
• More sustainable
• Collaborative rather than divisive

Question 6

What is meant by unconscious bias?

Answer 6

• Subconscious views/attitudes towards other people shaped by our background / culture, etc.
• Can affect how to engage with people or groups

Question 7

How can you overcome unconscious bias?

Answer 7

• Accept we all have unconscious biases
• Slow decision-making process
• Question your own behaviour / decisions
• Widen social circle
• Pay particular attention to bias related to the nine protected characteristics
• Avoid making assumptions or relying on ‘gut instinct’

Question 8

What is meant by teamwork?

Answer 8

Co-operative effort by a group of people to achieve a common goal

Question 9

What makes a good/effective team?

Answer 9

• Common sense of purpose
• Clear understanding of team objectives
• Resources to achieve objectives
• Mutual respect / trust
• Valuing members’ strengths and weaknesses
• Willingness to share knowledge / expertise
• Range of skills / personal styles

Question 10

What are the benefits of teamworking?

Answer 10

• Shared workload
• Improved productivity
• Improved quality
• Increased motivation

Question 11

How would you deal with an inexperienced member of the team?

Answer 11

• Provide encouragement and motivation
• Plan to address areas of weakness
• Give constructive feedback
• Provide support

Question 12

Tell me about Tuckman’s model of teams?

Answer 12

• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing
• Adjourning

Question 13

What is the difference between leadership and management in teamwork?

Answer 13

• Leadership: setting a new direction or vision for a group, a leader is the spearhead for the new direction
• Management: controls or directs people in a group according to principles or values that have already been established

Question 14

What are the 9 protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Has the RICS done anything about Diversity?

Answer 15

Set up the IEQM - Inclusive Environment Quality Mark

Question 16

What are the key principles of the IEQM

Answer 16

• Leadership - demonstrable commitment at the highest level
• Recruitment - engage and attract new people to the industry from under-represented groups
• Culture - an inclusive culture where all staff engage
• Development - training and promotion policies