Have you ever wondered how to get maximum marks on an Equality & Diversity question on a tender? The answer is simple.
The key to an effective Equality & Diversity answer is to improve your approaches to Equality & Diversity within your workplace, offer as many Diversity initiatives that you can and build a stronger and more inclusive workforce.
As you may be aware, an Equality & Diversity question appears on a large number of tenders. Thus, it is critical for your organisation to be aware of the requirements and provide the best possible answer. Being awarded top marks on this question will increase your chances of winning a tender.
The Equality Act (2010)
To demonstrate to the commissioner that you have an in-depth knowledge on Equality & Diversity, your policies should align with The Equality Act (2010). This shows that your organisation exercises best practice.
The Equality Act (2010) protects individuals, acting as a standing point for a more diverse and equal society. Types of discrimination can be against the following:
- Age
- Gender Re-assignment
- Being married or in a civil partnership
- Being pregnant or on maternity leave
- Disability
- Race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
The Act covers:
- The Equal Pay Act 1970
- The Sex Discrimination Act 1975
- The Race Relations Act 1976
- The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
- The Employment Equality (religion or belief) regulations 2003
- The Employment Equality (sexual orientation) regulations 2003
- The Equality Act 2006, part 2
- The Equality Act (sexual orientation) regulations 2007
In order to stand as a diverse and equal organisation, buyers must reflect and implement the policies and codes of conduct that the Equality Act (2010) represents, making their policies readily available for customers, clients and any other significant stakeholders.
The Impact of Equality & Diversity Within an Organisation
Equality & Diversity within an organisation can improve the quality of the work delivered, create a diverse and integrated workforce, build stronger communities and identify under-representation within society. The more that this is evidenced within your answer, the more effective the answer will become.
To build a stronger and more inclusive workforce, there are some recommendations for what can be done. Reflecting some of these incentives will enable you to build a more constructive answer:
- Conduct research to evaluate those who are under-represented within local communities
- Monitor diversity during the recruitment process
- Advertise traditionally and present vacancies utilising diverse job-boards
- Build relationships with diversity partners to network more candidates
- Work towards obtaining accreditations for diversity such as the ‘Two Ticks Scheme’ and ‘Clear Assured’
Having these initiatives and incentives in place within your organisation will help you substantially when answering this question.
What to Expect from An Equality & Diversity Question
You may be required to submit an eligibility questionnaire as part of the process; part of this questionnaire may be based on your organisations Equality & Diversity policies. Your answers to these questions will be measured against statutory regulations.
If equality is a core principle within the tender, you may be asked to provide further information and evidence to support the submission. For an Equality & Diversity question, commissioners need to ensure the quality in the terms and conditions; employers must offer equal pay, terms & conditions promotion, transfer opportunities, training, dismissal and redundancy procedures to all employees regardless of any personal characteristics.
It is important to know what will be asked of you for an Equality & Diversity question. You may be asked to provide:
- Your organisation’s Equality & Diversity policies
- Details of any unlawful discrimination breaches
- Any formal investigations carried out on your organisation in the last 3 years
- Copies of recruitment training or promotion instructions
An example of Equality & Diversity questions:
- Provide the processes your organisation has in place to ensure that candidates are managed in a fair and non-discriminatory manner
- Provide the processes your organisation has in place to ensure that you attract a diverse and inclusive candidate base
- Do you provide Equality and Diversity training for staff?
- Has your organisation been the subject of any formal investigation by the commission for Racial Equality, The Equality Opportunities Communities or the Disability Rights Commission on grounds of alleged unlawful discrimination?
Preparing your Equality & Diversity Answer
You will need to take into consideration your organisation’s practices when it comes to Equality & Diversity. When providing details of your organisations Equality & Diversity policy, your answer will have added quality if you are able to understand, monitor and evaluate the local demographics that are contextually stated within the tender. Identifying and demonstrating your knowledge of under-represented communities and then proposing practical ways to engage with them with help you to prepare this answer.
You will also have to take into consideration when preparing your answer:
- How to attract a more diverse workforce
- How you ensure equal opportunities within your organisation
- How to measure and evaluate the success of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce
- How you ensure that staff are well equipped to meet the equitable approaches expected of your policy and procedures
- How you advise clients on Equality & Diversity issues and impacted procedures
