Leading implicit bias training in the USA, UK, Europe and beyond
One of the main obstacles to a diverse and inclusive workforce is unconscious bias, also known as implicit bias. As a leader or manager, overcoming this is critical to the success of your business, for both your bottom line and company culture. Our implicit bias training will support your organization in enhancing its talent pipeline, from staff recruitment to career progression.
With decades of experience, EW Group is the leading specialist in bespoke implicit bias training. Our range of innovative in-person or virtual training, cutting edge digital e-learning modules and powerful actor-based workshops help companies combat unconscious bias on all levels, elevating your integrity, credibility and consistency. What’s more, it will make your business a better place to work.
What is unconscious or implicit bias?
Living in a highly stratified society, we are seldom exposed to people who are different to us in a meaningful way. This leads us to be influenced by stereotypes, which in turn affects our attitudes and behaviors. These are formed through positive and negative life experiences involving other people, and our opinions and actions (including how we view and evaluate our peers) are informed by these memories. We are fully aware of some of these biases, which helps us combat our prejudice more effectively.
However, a few of these assumptions are implicit rather than explicit — that’s what we refer to as ‘unconscious bias’ or ‘implicit bias’ — and are often displayed subtly and without premeditation or intention. For example, our body language, mannerisms and communication can be impacted by these ideas. Unfortunately, this may make them difficult to overcome, so they need to be made conscious in order to be tackled. That being said, coming to grips with our unconscious biases is critical to make decisions in an objective, merit-based manner — the key to a thriving business.
Comprehensive approach
Collaborative design. Positive delivery. Practical outcomes
Every business has its strengths and weaknesses when it comes to unconscious bias, so our approach is tailored to your specific objectives and goals. Led by these priorities, our diversity consultants will incorporate a range of implicit bias training activities into your course, including:
- Presentations to set the context
- Personal experiences
- Customised actor-based scenarios
- Real-life case studies
- Facilitated exercises for individuals, small groups and the whole group
- Reflection, review and action planning
Our implicit bias training is designed to be enlightening, interactive and cross-cultural. It is not limited to single strands of diversity or protected characteristics, and addresses all areas of business, especially vulnerable functions such as:
- Recruitment and selection
- Performance reviews and appraisals
- Promotions, acting on opportunities and fast-tracking
- Selecting project teams
- Decision-making and governance
- Supplier procurement
Led by results
Your employees will leave with our training with the skills they need to immediately make an impact
- Clearly articulating their commitment to overcoming unconscious bias in the workplace
- Acknowledging the subtle ways in which unconscious bias plays out at work
- Understanding the role of diversity best practices in their daily duties
- Comprehending the various aspects within their roles that may be open to unconscious bias
- Identifying opportunities to promote best practices and work with cultural adaptability
- Employing a set of practical tools and action plans to address unconscious bias wherever they work
Other related implicit bias training services
What our clients say
Implicit Bias Training: Delivery Options
People learn in different ways. The same applies to businesses. Our bespoke approach has enabled us to develop unique methods of training leaders, managers, and all staff groups, in a form that best suits their roles, industry and current subject knowledge.
Face-to-face in-person
Our half or full-day face-to-face sessions are ideal for small delegate groups of up to 15 people. Our interactive content and actor-led scenarios (video or live) encourage reflection, discussion, and practical application. The content can be tailored to suit leaders, managers, or all staff.
Face-to-face virtual
We can replicate our in-person training using our virtual classrooms, which includes features such as whiteboard, polls, and breakout rooms. The content can be adapted to suit the delegates and the ideal number of participants is up to 12.
Webinars
For larger groups of up to 50 people, our one-hour webinars will engage your staff in real-time from the comfort of their own seats. Our two facilitators present engaging content which can include filmed actor scenarios, chat box, and polls, ensuring maximum employee engagement.
E-Learning
Our 30-minute modules are designed for personal learning at all levels. The modules provide interactive exercises culminating in a knowledge check with a pre-determined pass rate and report back. You can choose between hosting on your LMS (transferred via SCORM) or opt for the EW Group’s learning management system.
Implicit Bias FAQs
Why should businesses address implicit bias in the workplace?
A workplace environment benefits from merit-based processes, ensuring you’re recruiting, retaining and promoting the best talent. This is why businesses are particularly susceptible to implicit bias, and the effects can be serious. For example, your staff may feel excluded, which results in lower productivity and engagement. In extreme cases, workplace bullying, unlawful harassment or discrimination might arise, which will potentially lead to costly mediation work and employment tribunals. On the other hand, removing implicit bias allows your company to fully harness the benefits of diversity.
Are there different types of unconscious bias?
There are over 150 types of unconscious bias, many of which can affect the workplace severely. Each of these manifests itself in a wide range of ways. Affinity bias, for instance, will lead management to unintentionally prefer people who share the same qualities with them, while conformity bias causes your employees to be swayed by the opinions of their superiors. Gender, name, age and even height can also act as factors in people’s bias.
Does implicit bias training work?
In recent years, some criticism has been thrown at implicit bias training. However, there is conclusive scientific evidence that proves that it does, in fact, work. The existence of unconscious bias in the brain has been demonstrated time and time again through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, so we know it’s real. At the same time, studies have shown that training interventions managed to increase awareness of it and reduce the strength of explicit bias. A large body of evidence reveals that implicit bias training is effective, but there’s always a need for more research, especially into the impact of long-term guidance.
Find out how we can support you to overcome implicit bias in the workplace
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