Serco: Equality and Diversity Questionnaire

We were commissioned by Serco Docklands to work on the design and analysis of a questionnaire.

Firstly, we designed a questionnaire for all managers and supervisors in Serco Docklands to assess current levels of their knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues. The goal was to design the questionnaire in ways that would enable Serco Docklands to track progress in the future and to use in other parts of the business.

The questionnaire would be sent to the top 60 managers, analysed by us, and then reported to the senior team. The questionnaire covered the following subjects:

• Coverage of the law;
• Identifying discrimination;
• Managing bullying and harassment;
• Managing diversity and inclusion;
• Communicating responsibilities to staff;
• Benefits of commitment to equality;
• Benefits of equality and diversity policy;
• Benefits of valuing employees;
• Valuing diverse ideas, views and culture;
• Good practice in employment;
• Good practice in service delivery;
• Change and improvement.

We analysed all of the results from the questionnaire and wrote a summary report containing all of the findings. As well as presenting the results in a face to face meeting with the Executive Team, we also produced a report with our recommendations concerning each subject. This would then allow Serco to commission training specific to the needs of managers and supervisors.

The results and findings from the questionnaire also informed the content of 2 one day training events for senior staff and others with important responsibilities for diversity. Lack of clarity on which equality areas are covered by law was one issue highlighted by the questionnaire. As a result the training events provided information on which equality areas are currently covered by the law and reinforced a good practice approach. We have since conducted several training programmes with Serco that have all been well received.