20 Challenging Questions

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are critical concerns for every organisation. Not only does failure to deliver on these fronts risk potentially costly and embarrassing legal action and bad press, it also hinders organisations’ ability to realise and develop their greatest and most elusive asset; human potential. The following questions are designed to help you dispassionately assess your organisation’s EDI performance.

1. What do you understand by the terms equality, diversity and inclusion?
2. How broad is shared understanding of these terms in your organisation? How do you know?
3. What action does your organisation take to help ensure that stakeholders, new entrants and other interested parties are familiar with its EDI values?
4. Does your organisation have a clear and coherent policy on EDI?
5. If so, what action does your organisation take to operate it effectively? If not, what is being done about this, by whom and in what timescale?
6. Who has lead responsibility for your organisation’s EDI performance?
7. How are they held accountable and to whom?
8. How is responsibility for EDI devolved and shared in your organisation?
9. How does your organisation’s performance compare to others in its sector?
10. How does your organisation’s performance compare locally, regionally, nationally and internationally?
11. What action does your organisation take to learn from other organisations, within and outside its sector?
12. How inclusive is your organisation’s culture? How do you know?
13. What action does your organisation take to maintain and enhance EDI?
14. How does your organisation respond to criticism on EDI issues? 
15.  Does your organisation have a clear policy on engaging diverse existing and potential customers, clients and other stakeholders?
16. If so, does everyone in your organisation understand it? If not, what is being done to change this? Who is accountable and to whom?
17. What level of resources is dedicated to EDI by your organisation? Are they secure?
18. How is / would EDI commitments be maintained in difficult times (for example, budgetary reductions or public controversy)? 
19.  How are the impact and value of your EDI activities evaluated?
20. How central and integrated are equality, diversity and inclusion to your organisation’s strategy?

BCL can help organisations and people answer all of these questions and do much more. We offer bespoke specialist consultancy services, based on a foundation of sound, evidence-based research, combined with leading edge thinking, innovative practice and a pragmatic and reassuring approach.