Diversity, Inclusion & Teamworking

Question 1

What do you do to ensure that you are a good team member?

Answer 1

I always ensure to help my colleagues out, whether it’s with general advice or covering an inspection etc.

I am supportive of initiatives proposed by other members of my team and try to add valuable input to projects, for example if working in joint agency I ensure to keep all parties updated on progress and ideas etc.

I try to lead by example and maintain a positive can-do attitude to keep morale high.

I aim to be inclusive and aware of cultural sensitivities.

Question 2

What do you understand about unconscious bias?

Answer 2

Unconscious biases, are the underlying attitudes and stereotypes that people unconsciously attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with a person or group.

Examples include:

Affinity bias - tendency people have to connect with others who share similar interests, experiences and backgrounds.

Conformity bias - tendency people have to act similar to the people around them regardless of their own personal beliefs or idiosyncrasies — also known as peer pressure.

Name bias - tendency people have to judge and prefer people with certain types of names — typically names that are of Anglo origin.

Question 3

What do you understand about the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?

Answer 3

Introduced in 2015 as a response to the sector being behind other professions in moving towards a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Based on 4 clear, key principles:

1. Leadership - commitment to increasing diversity of the workforce.
2. Recruitment - engage and attract new people from under-represented groups.
3. Culture - inclusive culture where all staff engage with developing, delivering, monitoring and assessing diversity and inclusivity.
4. Development - Policies that offer equal access to career progression for all members of the workforce.

Question 4

4 types of discrimination under the Equality Act?

Answer 4

• Direct
• Indirect
• Harassment
• Victimisation

Question 5

What are the business benefits of having a diverse workforce?

Answer 5

1. Win the war for talent.
2. Enhance customer relationships through understanding.
3. Boost employee engagement.
4. Better decision making (diversity of thought).
5. Strengthen company’s image.

Question 6

What are inclusive communications?

Answer 6

Awareness of different ways to communicated with people.
Language - not using words or expressions that would deliberately exclude people.
Images - using images that are diverse and positively portrays groups.
Accessibility - Ensure communications accessible to all (e.g. captions / transcripts etc).

Question 7

Tell me about some of the legislation relating to diversity in the workplace.

Answer 7

Equality Act = Main Legislation.

Others include:
Human Rights Act.
Part-time workers Act.
Fixed Term Employees Regs.

Question 8

What are the 3 areas to be aware of when considering inclusive communications?

Answer 8

1. Language (that might exclude people).
2. Images (Diverse and positively portrays groups).
3. Accessibility (e.g. transcripts / captions etc).

Question 9

What are some key policies a company should have in place?

Answer 9

Diversity and Inclusion policy.
Anti-harassment and bullying policy.
Family friendly policy. (mat / pat leave).
Flexible working policy.
Recruitment and selection policy.