Employers must challenge bias, says diversity champion
EMPLOYERS in Scotland need to challenge their own prejudices and bias when recruiting staff, according to an award-winning champion of diversity and inclusion in the work place.
Sandy Begbie says despite having laws preventing discrimination, there is a “halo effect” which too often sees people recruiting in their own likeness.
He said: “People tend to have prejudices and set views. A lot of recruitment practices have become very rigid over the years.”
Mr Begbie, group transformation director from Standard Life, won the Inspiring Role Model Award for his commitment to removing barriers to employment and discrimination in the workplace, at the inaugural Diversity Awards in Glasgow last year.
In an interview to publicise Scotland’s first National Diversity Conference in May, which we launch today along with our partners GenAnalytics, he said people were very familiar with the ongoing debate on diversity and issues of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and social/economic and educational background.
He said a lot of people use ‘diversity and inclusion’ as a strapline, but putting it into practice does mean you have to think about your own policies and practices.
You have to ask do they lend themselves to being inclusive?
He added: “We have laws on discrimination, but your policies and practices may have within them unconscious bias, although not illegal or intended, but may drive out a particular set of outcomes.
“If you go to New York or London you have a much more diverse base of population than you have in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness.
“The Scottish Government has a target that they want organisations to have four per cent of employees from an ethnic minority. That is probably a fairly reasonable target.”
He said changes had been made within Standard Life. “For our school and youth employment recruitment practice, we have removed all information regarding a candidate apart from the person’s name.
“So the manager wouldn’t receive any information about their address, their school, their educational qualifications. All they get is the person’s name.
“The outcome is that we have recruited people from different social backgrounds with different educational qualifications, than we would otherwise have done.”
Mr Begbie is one of the speakers at Scotland’s National Diversity Conference 2017 on Tuesday, May 23 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.
It is organised by the Herald and GenAnalytics (also organisers of the Diversity Awards) in association with Standard Life. Day delegate tickets for the conference cost £100 plus Vat.
To find out how to book, please visit www. newsquestscotlandevents. com/events/the-diversityconference/ or call Claire Hunter on 0141 302 7319. Sandy Begbie, chief people officer, Standard Life, said: “At Standard Life we have a fundamental belief that everyone, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to work and fulfil their potential in an inclusive workplace. We welcome the opportunity to further collaborate with organisations across Scotland to promote the value of a diverse workforce and that’s why we are delighted to be sponsoring the Scottish Diversity Conference.” Roy Gardner, executive director, corporate development and innovation at City of Glasgow College, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Diversity Conference and Awards 2017. At City, we have a track record for advancing equality, diversity and inclusion for all; a commitment recognised by Education Scotland during our 2016 review.” Katy Wedderburn, partner at MacRoberts LLP, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the first Diversity Conference for Scotland. Fostering and promoting diversity in the workplace continues to be at the forefront of MacRoberts agenda for 2017 and beyond and supporting this event is very important to us.” Skills Development Scotland (SDS), head of national training programme development, Karen Murray said: “SDS is committed to supporting equality and diversity through working with partners to help make Scotland a more inclusive place to live and work. Sue Whalley, MD Royal Mail Letters & Network and chief operations officer, said: “Royal Mail are delighted to be sponsoring The Diversity Conference for Scotland, as a large employer we are keen to ensure that our work environment is one that nurtures diversity – diversity of thought, experience and skills. Steve Dunlop, CEO of Scottish Canals, said: “If we are to make the most of the talent we have in Scotland, everyone needs to be able to play their part and this means public, private and third sector organisations embracing diversity.” Hamish Watson, ScottishPower HR UK director, said: “This conference is a great opportunity to showcase and learn best practice from organisations that encourage people to be themselves, embrace difference and harness the opportunities that this brings”. Ed Cochrane, managing consultant and head of YSC Scotland, said: “YSC are delighted to sponsor The Diversity Conference. We partner with our clients to recognise and leverage the richness of their diverse talent and to support and challenge them in establishing inclusive cultures.” Wheatley’s employee relations leader, Lesley Wilkinson, said: “At Wheatley, we believe staff and our customers should be treated fairly and with respect and dignity, regardless of their colour, sexual orientation, ability, gender, culture or religion. That’s why we are proud to support the Diversity Conference.”