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When we meet people, we often judge them based on what we see, like their age, weight and attractiveness. But we may also judge them on their accent, where they studied and their socio-economic status. Rapid processing occurs when our brains make quick judgements of people and situations around us, often without realising it. This can sometimes lead to unconscious bias. Our biases are likely influenced by our background, culture and personal experiences. However, these biases can lead to out-groups being treated less favourably and even discrimination. Research has shown that unintentional bias can negatively impact recruitment, training, and other work-related decisions. Key equality & diversity facts
Top tips to help tackle unconscious bias in your firm1. Accept that we all have unconscious biasesBias is part of being human, but we can't tackle it if we don't acknowledge this. Take an Implicit Association Test (IAT) to become more aware of your own biases. 2. Make considered decisionsUnintentional bias is more likely when you make fast decisions or act on the spur of the moment, so be sure to take a step back. 3. Monitor your behaviourQuestion your first impressions and extreme reactions to people; reflect on any rapid decisions you make (i.e. were they made objectively or was unconscious bias at play?) 4. Pay attention to bias related to protected characteristicsFor example, age, disability, sex, maternity, race, religion, etc. - as this is discrimination and hence illegal. 5. Widen your social circleDon't sit with the same colleague every day. Move around and spend time with people from different cultural and academic backgrounds etc. This will build your cultural competence and lead to better understanding. 6. Set ground rules for behaviourDon't tolerate interruptions in your team; make sure everyone gets a fair hearing and has an equal chance to give their opinion. 7. Avoid making assumptions or relying on gut instinctFor example, "My boss said that she didn't offer me the project because I have a new baby and there's some travel." Don't assume you know best, as you may jump to the wrong conclusion. 8. Use rotas to avoid stereotypingHave rotas for 'housekeeping' tasks, such as taking the minutes in a meeting, organising refreshments, etc., to ensure fairness and reduce the potential for gender stereotyping. 9. Speak out if you notice biasFor example, if a male colleague talks over a female colleague, tactfully point out that you wanted to hear what she had to say. If your boss only ever assigns the stretching projects to the guys or your white colleagues, have a quiet word. 10. Apologise if you get it wrongRemember that we can only deal with bias if we're honest and admit our mistakes. Want to learn more about Equality & Compliance?If you'd like to stay up to date with equality best practices, industry insights and key trends across regulatory compliance, digital learning, EdTech, and RegTech news, subscribe to Skillcast Compliance Bulletin. To help you navigate the compliance landscape, we have collated searchable glossaries of key terms and definitions across complex topics, including GDPR, Equality, Financial Crime and SMCR. We also regularly report key learnings from recent discrimination cases. You can follow our ongoing YouGov research into compliance issues, attitudes and risk perceptions in the UK workplace through our Compliance Insights blogs. And if you're looking for a compliance training solution, why not visit our Compliance Essentials Course Library. Last but not least, we have 80+ free compliance training aids, including assessments, best practice guides, checklists, desk-aids, eBooks, games, handouts, posters, training presentations and even e-learning modules! If you've any questions or concerns about compliance or e-learning, please get in touch. We are happy to help! What techniques can someone use to help them identify their own implicit biases?Identify and Evaluate Your Own Biases. Introspection: Set aside time to understand your biases by taking a personal inventory of them. ... . Mindfulness: Once you understand the biases you hold, be mindful that you're more likely to give in to them when you're under pressure or need to make quick decisions.. How can I become more aware of my own biases?To become aware of your unconscious biases, start by educating yourself. Paying attention to your thoughts and examining your beliefs can help you identify the assumptions you currently hold. For example, do you believe that people will always speak up when they disagree?
What five strategies can be used to reduce the impact of implicit bias?Challenge implicit biases by identifying your own, teaching colleagues about them, observing gap-closing teachers, stopping “tone policing,” and tuning into such biases at your school.
Which tactics can help you to observe your own unconscious biases?Top tips to help tackle unconscious bias in your firm. Accept that we all have unconscious biases. ... . Make considered decisions. ... . Monitor your behaviour. ... . Pay attention to bias related to protected characteristics. ... . Widen your social circle. ... . Set ground rules for behaviour. ... . Avoid making assumptions or relying on gut instinct.. |