Should we scrap Unconscious Bias Training?

‘Boris Johnson’s government scraps Unconscious Bias training for civil servants.’ This was a newspaper headline in December 2020, a story that featured in many media outlets. So, should we scrap UB training? And if not, why not? What will you do, for staff development in 2021?

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Trans – has the debate become too toxic to move forward?

Government proposals on changes to transgender equality legislation sparked debate that some said became toxic and harmful to human rights. The Harry Potter author J K Rowling has been one who has voiced concern. Now the government has made some changes, following publication of their response to their consultation – do these go far enough? Are you aware of the issues? Have staff or students expressed a viewpoint? Should we close such discussions down? How do we move forward in this debate? And when did you last provide trans awareness training for staff?

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#Black Lives Matter - When is positive discrimination legal?

In the context of ‘BlackLivesMatter’, now seems the perfect time to ramp up our actions to dismantle the persistent barriers that people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds face in the workplace. But when does the law curb positive action? Is positive discrimination ever legal? During Covid 19 we are providing additional support for students with medical conditions who are shielding – but does this mean that we are discriminating against students who are not shielding? Can we use positive action to address socioeconomic disadvantage? These are questions I have been asked recently. Here are my answers.

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What is Unconscious Bias, and why train staff?

The Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced his intention to provide unconscious bias training for all his staff and will ‘lead from the top’ by completing the training himself. However, several conservative MPs have been vocal in their opposition. What is unconscious bias, why should we train staff and what does this have to do with becoming the best of the best in the sector?

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Landmark ruling – non-binary and gender fluid people now protected under equality legislation.

Did you know that a landmark ruling has confirmed, for the first time, that protection under the Equality Act 2010 extends to non-binary and gender fluid individuals? Have you thought about the practical implications of this ruling for your organisation?

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