Diversity, Inclusion & Team-working

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Age
Gender reassignment
Disability
Pregnancy/maternity
Marriage/Civil Partnership
Race
Religion/Belief
Sex
Sexual Orientation

Question 2

What is Rule 4 of the RICS ROC (2021)?

Answer 2

Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion

Question 3

What are some example behaviours of Rule 4 of the ROC?

Answer 3

Do not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010)
Identify and address unconscious bias
Work cooperatively with others
Do not harass/bully/victimise others

Question 4

What is equity?

Answer 4

Recognising that people have different starting points in life, equity is focused on addressing this imbalance by equipping people with the tools and support they need to fulfill their potential

Question 5

Under the RICS’ updated DEI guidance in 2024, what are some of the recommendations for larger firms?

Answer 5

Removing bias from recruitment process
Conducting staff training
Maintaining DEI data and using this to drive positive change
Support employee groups that support different communities

Question 6

What is the purpose of the Equality Act (2010)?

Answer 6

Equality Act (2010)
- Legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society

Question 7

Give an example of when you have worked well in a team

Answer 7

Report Writing
- Responsible for collating report, requiring collaboration with diverse mixture of internal and external team members (asset managers/fund analysts/indirect team/property managers/ESG analysts etc.)
- Ensured that everyone’s role was clearly defined and clear deadlines were set
- Maintained clear channels of communication
- Encouraged feedback from colleagues

Question 8

Why is diversity and inclusion important to your business?

Answer 8

• Widens talent pool
• Ensures everyone feels comfortable coming to work, thereby producing a healthier, more collaborative environment in which people are happier and enabled to fulfill their potential
• Brings a broader perspective to discussions, creating deeper understanding of prevalent issues and informing a more nuanced response

Question 9

What is unconscious bias and how can you counteract it?

Answer 9

The deeply ingrained associations that we hold as a result of our background and the environments in which we work and live.
We can identify our unconscious biases by doing Implicit Assumption Tests (e.g. by Harvard) and ensure that we reflect on these biases when making decisions and building relationships, so as to avoid adversely prejudicing others