EDI Essentials Training Solution

Our dynamic half-day workshop is designed to transform workplace interactions and explore the fine line between banter and inappropriate behaviour through engaging scenarios (optionally brought to life by professional actors) and facilitated open discussion.

This interactive session is not a lecture; it focuses on dismantling barriers, building confidence and sparking those crucial “aha” moments for real change. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to create respectful, inclusive work environments, understanding EDI’s legal and social contexts.

Learning outcomes:

Uncover the true meaning of respect in the workplace and build awareness around it.
Understand what is meant by equality, diversity, and inclusion, along with the legal context.
Recognise the impact of assumptions and stereotypes and strategies for consciously assessing automatic thinking.

Gain a clear understanding of the fine lines between banter, bullying, discrimination, and harassment.
Develop the confidence to address what’s appropriate and what’s not, equipped with a powerful tool to kickstart courageous conversations.
Commit to taking concrete actions that foster respect and inclusivity in your work environment.

Workshop Outline...

(1) Understanding Respect and Inclusivity: Using a video as our starting point, participants will discuss respect, inclusivity, and their significance in the workplace. An introspective activity reveals the assumptions people have made about each other, with small group discussions to gain insight into others’ experiences.

(2) The Assumption Trap: We’ll examine the reasons behind our assumptions and discover how they can create barriers and conflicts in the workplace. Through an activity called “Picture This”, participants will explore the impact of relying on stereotypes, and the responsibility we all share to understand and learn from the consequences of our words and actions.

(3) Whistlestop Tour of Equality Law: We will highlight our legal rights and responsibilities under relevant equality law. Participants will be encouraged to think beyond legislation and consider numerous other things that contribute to us having different experiences and barriers to inclusion.

(4) Fine Lines: A scenario, “Communication Breakdown”, highlights the difference between intent and impact. We’ll explore the lines between discrimination, harassment, bullying, and banter, with a quiz to put that awareness into practice.

How this looks with actors:
The group observe a scenario that highlights the impact of non-inclusive behaviour and explores the lines between intent and impact. The actors are put in the hot seat so that participants can question them to get their views, assess their feelings, discover their back story, and fill in any gaps (all is not always what it seems!) The scenario is run again, giving participants the opportunity to put their learning into action by guiding the situation and behaviours to reach a better outcome.

(5) A Step Too Far: Participants will witness a scenario where the conversation moves from being light-hearted to potentially unlawful. “A Step Too Far” emphasises the impact when banter strays beyond good-humoured interactions and highlights the consequences of being a passive bystander. We’ll explain the bystander effect and share practical strategies to become an active bystander, with “Wait a SEC”, a tool designed to ignite courageous conversations.

How this looks with actors:
Participants will observe an interaction between two colleagues where lines are crossed, leading to tension and discomfort. Participants are tasked with identifying the attitudes and behaviours that could be causing things to go wrong and generating ideas to steer the situation to a better outcome. The facilitator and actors (still in character) encourage the discussion and throw in ideas as needed. Participants will share their strategies, creating space for peer learning and growth.

(6) Action Planning for EDI: Finally, participants reflect on their personal commitments to change behaviours, habits, or approaches. Sharing these commitments encourages a culture of accountability and collaboration, creating a supportive environment for growth and progress. Action plans will be collected and shared back with project sponsors to progress internally.

Let's Talk!

We’re advocates of crafting tailormade solutions that ensure you meet objectives and maximise budgets. Contact us to book a meeting to scope the right solution for your organisation, together.

What About Actors?

Through clever script writing, goosebump-inducing delivery and professional facilitation, we love to bring learning to life with actors…

We can select scripts from our library or write them specially for you, based on typical scenarios you see within in your organisation. For larger projects where budgets don’t allow for live acting, we can professionally film bespoke scenarios to create video content which can be used in the training as well as induction, toolkits, and beyond.

Using actors in workshop give delegates the opportunity to:

Test out alternative ways of approaching what can sometimes be difficult situations, without the pressure of role playing themselves!
Explore what is acceptable and what isn’t; intent versus impact; and both the subtle, and not so subtle, behaviours we see play out in the workplace
Be immersed in an interactive learning experience that engages hearts and minds, and sticks in the long-term memory

ENQUIRE NOW

Don't Just Take Our Word For It

Nina Darling

UoP SHCP Teaching Fellow, University of Portsmouth

“The course which Paula provided was really engaging and nicely presented. The use of the actors was particularly good and actually bought the whole thing to life and made it really valuable learning. Thank you very much – it was fantastic!”

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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Essentials

In-House Training, Available As: