Mandatory - Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking

Question 1

What is workplace diversity?

Answer 1

Hiring a diverse range of individuals. Hiring based on skills and experience and not being prejudiced against someone’s culture, race, gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, social background etc.

Question 2

What are some advantages of a diverse team?

Answer 2

Different ideas and new ways of thinking. Social cohesion makes a better company culture. People want to work for companies that champion diversity.

Question 3

Define inclusion in the workplace.

Answer 3

An environment where all employees are treated fairly and have equal access to opportunities and resource.

Question 4

Why is diversity important?

Answer 4

Having many different ideas and experiences is beneficial to the company. Diverse businesses help move society forward by bringing people from different backgrounds together to achieve a common goal.

Question 5

What is unconscious bias?

Answer 5

Unconsciously holding attitudes or stereotypes about a person or group of people, and having that impact your engagement with that person/ group. Can be positive as well as negative.

Question 6

What is equal opportunity?

Answer 6

Making sure everyone has a fair chance to opportunities and are unhampered in their engagement by artificial barriers.

Question 7

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 7

A discrimination law and legal framework that protects people from unfair treatment. It aims to promote a fair and equal society.

Question 8

What is meant by Teamwork?

Answer 8

A cooperative group effort to achieve a common goal.

Question 9

What is meant by open collaboration/ good teamwork?

Answer 9

• A clear understanding of our common objective.
• Mutual trust and respect.
• Sharing relevant information and knowledge.
• Communicate openly and effectively.
• Valuing each other’s skills.

Question 10

What are the benefits of open collaborating/ good teamwork?

Answer 10

• Better quality and productivity.
• Efficiency of delivery.
• Improved outcomes for the client/ company.
• Everyone is part of continuous learning.
• Shared workload and continuation of service.

Question 11

Difference between a team and committee?

Answer 11

A committee is a group of people appointed for a function. A team is a group of people working toward a common goal.

Question 12

How do you select the right people to join a team?

Answer 12

• Understand the task
• Work out what skills I need to complete the task.
• Find out if I already have those skills in my existing tea
• Hire new people that have skills I’m missing and have the personality to fit in with my existing team.

Question 13

How do you work with inexperienced team members?

Answer 13

Discuss what their goals are.
- Create a plan together to help them achieve those goals.
- Regularly review their progress and comfort with learning.
- Provide support and teaching as necessary.

Question 14

How would I promote open discussion in a team?

Answer 14

• Lead by example.
• Make sure everyone knows there are no stupid questions.
• Make space for everyone to contribute to discussions, not just the loud people.
• Make people feel welcome and included in meetings, the workplace, discussions.

Question 15

Why might a team fail?

Answer 15

Poor resources, leadership or personality clashes. Team members don’t have sufficient skills to carry out the task.

Question 16

What is the difference between management and leadership?

Answer 16

Management = controls or directs people in a group in an established manner, usually a company.
Leadership = helps set a direction and then spurs people toward that destination.

Question 17

What is team dynamics?

Answer 17

Behavioural relationships between members of the team. Mainly how they interact, communicate and cooperate with one another.

Question 18

How can you improve team dynamics?

Answer 18

Get to know your team.
Understand what motivates them.
Define roles and responsibilities.
Tackle problems in a positive way.

Question 19

What is an inclusive environment?

Answer 19

A space that readily accommodates and welcomes users with diverse needs in a dignified and accessible way.

Question 20

What is discrimination?

Answer 20

Prejudicial treatment of a person or group based on race, sex, religion, age, sex, disability etc. Equality Act 2010 give legal protection to people against discrimination.

Question 21

What Building Regulations are associated with inclusive environments?

Answer 21

Document M – Access to and use of buildings.

Question 22

How does Document M apply to this competency?

Answer 22

Guidance on ease of access to and use of buildings, including toilets, bathrooms and ramps.

Question 23

How can a building be inclusive?

Answer 23

Adult changing facilities.
Ramps.
Lifts.
Hearing loops.
Parent and baby/child facilities.
Considered parking.
Dementia friendly initiatives.
Contrasting colours.

Question 24

Tell me about a time you have worked well in a team?

Answer 24

Holy Trinity Vicarage. Tender returns we all over budget, recommended that we appoint the lowest one as the preferred contractor and value engineer the scheme. The architect changed the scope of work and I successfully renegotiated the costs with the contractor to meet the clients budget. I was very open with the contractor, brought them and the client together to discuss each other’s position in an open manner. Found a common way forward. Everyone happy.

Question 25

What common issues have I experienced when working as a team?

Answer 25

• Unclear deadlines/ project programming.
• Poor communication.
• Over reliance on emails.
• Too many meetings, not enough actions.

Question 26

What is included in your company’s Equality Policy?

Answer 26

The Equality Act 2010, list of protected characteristics and how the company complies with the Act (recruitment, training, discipline, working environment).