Diversity, Inclusion & Teamworking + Inclusive Environments

Question 1

1. What are your firm’s D&I commitments?

Answer 1

a. Diverse workforce - Blind hiring practices
b. Equal opportunities regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation etc
c. Flexibility of working from home or out with 9-5 for parents
d. Provision of training to promote awareness and understanding

Question 2

2. What is an inclusive environment?

Answer 2

a. Where people from all cultures/backgrounds can freely express who they are, their own opinions and their points of view – essentially where all feel respected, valued and supported

Question 3

3. Explain the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 3

a. Consolidates existing discrimination law into one statute
b. Protects people from discrimination in the workplace and wider society

Question 4

4. What are the 9 protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 4

a. Age
b. Disability
c. Gender reassignment
d. Marriage and civil partnership
e. Pregnancy and maternity
f. Race
g. Religion/belief
h. Sex
i. Sexual orientation

Question 5

5. How do you ensure effective teamwork?

Answer 5

a. Regular communication
b. Team building exercises

Question 6

6. Why is teamwork important?

Answer 6

a. Efficiency in work and meeting client needs
b. Gathering a wide range of expertise

Question 7

7. What does inclusive communication involve?

Answer 7

a. It’s a way of communicating that invites as many people as possible to be involved
b. Listen to all when speaking as a team
c. Show respect to all
d. Ask open ended questions
e. Don’t make assumptions

Question 8

8. What is unconscious bias and how can you overcome it?

Answer 8

a. Relates to the associations we hold which are deeply ingrained and outside of our conscious awareness or control
b. Can be overcome by:
i. Making considered decisions
ii. Widening your social circle
iii. Avoid making assumptions
iv. Apologise if you get it wrong
v. Learn from your experiences

Question 9

9. What is the difference between direct and indirect discrimination?

Answer 9

a. Direct discrimination – directly treating someone with a protected characteristic less favourably
b. Indirect discrimination – Putting rules in place that apply to everyone, but put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage

Question 10

10. What are the FOUR types of discrimination?

Answer 10

a. Direct discrimination
b. Indirect discrimination
c. Harassment
d. Victimisation

Question 11

11. What is a reasonable adjustment?

Answer 11

a. The Equality Act 2010 states anyone who ‘controls’ a premise must ensure they make reasonable adjustments to help disabled people if the absence of any works places them at a disadvantage

Question 12

12. What are the tests for reasonableness?

Answer 12

a. Effectiveness of the adjustment for the disabled person
b. The practicality of the adjustment
c. The financial cost and disruption of undertaking any works
d. Financial resources available to the service provider