Encouraging staff disclosure in higher education institutions

Encouraging staff disclosure in higher education institutionsA staff member's disclosure of equality information, such as their disability status, or ethnicity, enables higher education institutions (HEIs) to anticipate and provide appropriate support services. Accurate records that reflect a true picture of the workforce also enable an HEI to ensure they are working to achieve equality and diversity at all levels.

But how do HEIs encourage more staff to disclose equality information? How do you develop an environment on campus where staff feel safe to disclose equality information? What are the challenges of collecting and monitoring staff data in line with the forthcoming Equality Bill?

This timely conference looks at the benefits for institutions in encouraging staff disclosure, what to do with the information once it has been collected and offers practical examples to help institutions develop creative strategies to encourage more staff to disclose equality information.

Developing practical strategies

Eight institutions have been piloting a range of strategies to create a strong culture of disclosure on campus as part of ECU's Staff Disclosure project. Delegates will hear from those involved in the project and will have the chance to actively participate in a panel discussion and workshops.

Speakers and panel members include:

• Kathy Aveyard, Equality and Diversity Manager
  University of Leeds
• Moira Mitchell, Equality and Diversity Manager
  Canterbury Christ Church University
• Carola Towle, National Officer
  UNISON
• Bob Price, Director of Human Resources
  Oxford Brookes University
• Rick Williams, Managing Director
  Freeney Williams
  Associate of the Employers Forum on Disability
• Sarah Lewis, Equality and Diversity Manager
  Coventry University
• Ken Grainger, Senior Assistant Secretary Equality & Diversity, University of Salford

Overcoming barriers to disclosure

What factors can influence individual decisions on whether to disclose equality information? How can HEIs overcome these barriers and plan for the Equality Bill, which will require the monitoring of new areas?

Afternoon workshops, hosted by ECU and with presentations from HEIs, will discuss issues around disclosure of:

• Religion and belief
• Sexual orientation
• Ethnicity

Monitoring tools

After staff have been encouraged to disclose, what can we learn from the data collected? Andy Youell, Director of Quality and Development at the Higher Education Statistics Agency will introduce heidi equality, a new online tool for analysing and comparing equality data from across the higher education sector.

Who should attend?

• Equality and diversity practitioners
• Human resources managers
• Senior managers with responsibility for staff services
• Chairs of equality and diversity committees

How to book

Booking for this event has now closed.

Presentations and other materials will be available shortly after the event.