Equality And Diversity Training
Not unlike counselling, this is a specialist area and requires specialist interventions. It is also a hearts and minds issue. Learning about discrimination law might engage the mind but recognising the benefits of embracing an inclusive culture is quite another thing entirely. Many people and organisations, however, fail to make use of the expert resources and advice available to them.
The link between counselling and equality and diversity
Workplace counsellors, mentors, employee assistance programmes and the like are often an initial point of contact for employees facing equality related issues. The questions can my employer do this or how can I raise this are not uncommon. Discrimination, harassment, inclusion and dignity at work are complex issues which, left unchallenged, can have enormous effects on personal wellbeing. This may, for some readers, open an interesting debate about what we should and should not know as workplace counsellors to provide the best advice to our clients.
Secondly, to more general practitioners, it is an established fact that people who are discriminated against, harassed or excluded at the workplace are at a greater risk of experiencing stress-related absence.
In these circumstances, counselling may once again be a natural point of contact via, for example, a GP referral. Essential knowledge and skills So what are essential knowledge and skills for anyone who has interaction with other people as part of their role within the areas of equality and diversity?
_ Legislative awareness As a basic platform, knowledge of the six main provisions of discrimination legislation is recommended. This area is often over complicated and misunderstood. For example, race discrimination applies to people of all races " including, for example, a white British male. Religious discrimination legislation includes atheists and vegans.
_ Tools for challenging inappropriate behaviours Identifying and recognising black hole behaviours that drain energy from people and how to encourage people to challenge these for themselves.
