Diversity, inclusion and teamworking L1

Question 1

What is workplace diversity?

Answer 1

• 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 2

What are some advantages of a diverse team?

Answer 2

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 3

What are inclusive environments?

Answer 3

• 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 4

Why are inclusive environments important?

Answer 4

• 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 5

What legislation or regulations relate to inclusive environments?
*

Answer 5

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 6

Please explain your understanding of inclusion within the workplace?

Answer 6

• 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 7

What is the Equalities Act 2010?

Answer 7

Law that covers everyone in Britain that protects people from discrimination, victimisation & harrassment.

Question 8

What is inclusion?

Answer 8

Where everyone is treated fairly & respectfully, given equal opportunities within the workplace and feel welcomed & comfortable.

Question 9

What are protected characteristics?

Answer 9

Characteristics that are protected by law that yoy cannot discriminate agaisnt: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage status, race, sex, religion or belief

Question 10

What makes a strong team?

Answer 10

Combination of leadership, communication, access to good resources, mutual respect, common aligned goals, patience

Question 11

What does the term “unconscious bias” mean?

Answer 11

Deeply ingrained associations that we are not aware of that have been shaped by experience, environment and upbringing

Question 12

Tell me about an example of where you have worked well in a team.

Answer 12

Extension of Promotion Agreement in Bedfordshire
-Diverse team with a mixture of internal and external team members
-Set team objectives
-Ensured that roles and responsibilities were clear
-Maintained clear channels of communication
-Allowed all members to have an active role and contribute

Question 13

What is a common issue you have come across when working in a
team?

Answer 13

• Ways of working
• Strategy
• Standard of work

Question 14

Why is diversity and inclusivity valuable to businesses / teams?

Answer 14

• Greater innovation and creativity
• Range of skills
• Happier employees
• Increased productivity
• Building client relationships

Question 15

What are the differences between diversity and inclusion?

Answer 15

Diversity describes the variation in personal, physical, and social characteristics that exist, while inclusion refers to the procedures organizations implement to integrate everyone in the workplace

Question 16

What does inclusive communication include?

Answer 16

Inclusive communication means sharing information in a way that everybody can understand

Question 17

Why is accountability and responsibility important when working in a team?

Answer 17

Accountability fosters better work relationships, improves job satisfaction, and helps teams work more effectively together
Responsibility teams have clear functions and responsibilities, they know what is expected of them and work more efficiently

Question 18

Explain Tuckman’s theory in relation to teamwork.

Answer 18

Tuckman’s theory stated that teams would go through 5 stages of development: forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning

Question 19

Explain the Belbin team roles

Answer 19

o resource investigator
o team worker, co-ordinator
o plant
o monitor evaluator
o specialist
o shaper
o implementer
o complete-finisher

Question 20

Explain Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Answer 20

There are five levels in Maslow’s pyramid.
From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and self-actualization