diversity awareness

(creating an environment where people can flourish)

Encouraging tolerance for difference is easier said than done. Few organisations would say that they do not aspire to equality at work, but making it work consistently is another matter. This workshop helps attendees gain a better understanding of the facets of human nature that can unwittingly lead to - or be interpreted as - discriminatory behaviour, and encourages them to examine how small changes in individual behaviour can produce lasting change in workplace relations. Participants are encouraged to take a pro-active stance, and personal responsibility, towards creating and maintaining a 'healthier' workplace where individuals can flourish.

Objectives

.         To raise awareness of the factors that create workplace inequalities
for staff based on perceived 'difference'

.         To foster an understanding of how our personal attributes and
behaviour might unwittingly cause offence to others

.         To encourage reflection on how individuals might contribute to a
respectful and tolerant organisational culture

 

For management, the focus changes and includes:

 

A management checklist for ensuring a positive work environment

Acts as a forum for discussion and review of the organisation's policy and practice

Format

This is an interactive session supported by PowerPoint, experiential work, Q&A sessions, course notes and reading list. Group size is typically 10 to 15.

Course Content

Introduction and expectations
Brief definitions of 'equality'
Bullying and harassment
Unwitting discrimination
Respect and dignity, at work and elsewhere
Difference: race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and 'other '
Assumptions, thoughts and behaviour
Knowing ourselves, recognising bias and prejudice
Monitoring our language, beliefs and behaviour
Understanding and demonstrating equality
The strengths of diversity
Personal responsibilities, management contributions
Creating and maintaining a tolerant environment
Actions for a workplace that works
Organisational culture and climate
Maintaining the balance