Effective Implicit bias training

Diversity Builder Unconscious Bias Courses

Elevating self-awareness of biased thoughts and practices in the workplace is the first step in addressing underlying biases. Such biases are often unconscious emerge in the workplace when communicating and can result in inequitable decision-making.  This course is

The following are the options for implicit/unconscious bias training:

    1. Online Training – Interactive E-learning Modules – Self-Directed
    2. Onsite
    3. Webinar using Zoom or Microsoft Teams

We all have biases. Raised awareness and training can help reduce biased behavior and elevate inclusion and belonging.

Research studies on bias have revealed that all of us have bias. It is often deep-rooted and stems from the messages and input we have received throughout our lives, starting in childhood. 1
The impacts of bias at work can be harmful and result in the following:

Microaggressions
Harassment
Bullying
Exclusion

Starting with an effective training program is often the best initial step in cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging within an organization.

So why try to reduce or eliminate bias at work? When bias starts shaping decisions and behaviors within the workplace, it can have a negative impact to the organization and its culture. The good news is that training programs have been shown to mitigate bias in the workplace and increase diversity.2

Diversity Builder has learned which techniques work best when bringing bias training programs to employees. Our trainers take and evidence-based approach starting with scientific study results and findings. From there our trainers share ways to be more aware of bias and how to address it when it arises at work.

“Biases are inevitable. Acting on them is not.”
Katerina Tate, Diversity Builder Trainer

Increased Self-Awareness of Bias

The individual, social, and structural learning that shapes a person does not change once they arrive at work. Self-awareness of bias can be eye-opening to employees and be the catalyst for change. Recognizing that all people have unconscious or implicit bias is the first step of becoming self-aware of its influence. As we consider how bias impacts our choices, cultural change and shifting societal attitudes play a role in understanding appropriateness in the workplace. Bias often extends beyond race and gender. Recognizing bias helps employees understand what shapes their beliefs, thoughts, and feelings about another person or group of people.


Does Unconscious Bias Training Work

The top questions about bias training we receive are:

  1. Does implicit bias training work?
  2. Is it effective in changing behavior?
  3. What is the best long-term strategy that does work?

Research shows that there are four criteria that contribute to learning programs that work.3

  • Initial awareness of personal bias
  • Understanding how bias impacts workplace decisions
  • Creating a feedback culture for joint accountability
  • An ongoing learning program that includes review, evaluation, and actionable plans

Looking for E-learning?

Online Bias Training


Stereotyping and Discrimination

Common misconceptions and stereotyping open a space for discrimination when the unconscious become conscious. Often employees do not recognize their biases naturally; intention and practice are required.

One major impact of bias training is transforming thoughts by talking openly about stereotypes, implicit bias, and prejudice.

Racial Bias

Bias based on race is a significant topic of interest to organizations. They are interested in helping employees raise awareness of individual biases and reduce the prevalence of such biases to prevent acting on them in the workplace. While this topic can be built into the program for virtual or onsite facilitation, other organizations want an entire workshop on Anti-Racism training.

Diversity Builder’s Racial Equity training is also an option. This training provides a history of structural and systemic racism and equips employees with tools and actionable strategies to be more aware and confront both racism and racial inequality. Employees will learn about the Black Lives Matter movement and how to navigate communication to promote positive outcomes. Allyship is a key component of this class.

What is Allyship?

Allyship means:

Standing up for individuals from marginalized races

Active listening to individuals from differing races

Take on the challenges of individuals from different races as if they were you own.

Address personal privilege based on race. Take a stand for equality and equity.

Diversity Builder’s trainers have hosted more than 50 podcasts on race and has team members considered as some of the best in the country on the topic of anti-racism and social justice.

Diversity Builder’s curriculum developer holds a Doctorate Degree in American Cultural Studies and a Master’s Degree in Social Justice.

Transforming Workplace Conversations

Turning uncomfortable conversations into a space of trust and learning is how the trainers at Diversity Builder breakdown misconceptions and lessen the stigma surrounding bias issues. Creating an environment where feedback is valued and welcomed and help establish peer accountability and contribute to more inclusive communication and behaviors.

Where Bias Appears

Many organizations experience bias in:

  • Hiring
  • Communication
  • Employee Meetings
  • Casual Conversations at Work (water cooler talk)
  • Vendor Interactions
  • External Work Functions and Events

When bias is prevalent in a workplace teamwork suffers and individual performance can decline.4

The key to bias is understanding where someone else is coming from and reconciling your own beliefs and opinions. Additionally, bias is always in flux and understanding individual perception and self-management is key to successful training. Bias affects evaluation of individual and team performance, the ability to manage people, and in hiring practices.

Expected Successes

Ultimately, bias training opens dialogue about the ideas and actions that may be hidden for many employees. It is recommended that companies evaluate past issues and policies related to suspected bias, to uncover areas of improvement.

Reducing bias in the workplace requires:

  • Creating a Standardized Mentoring Program
  • Establishing Ongoing Learning
  • Evaluating Anti-bias
  • Implementing programs for Change

Strategies for Success

Changing unconscious bias into conscious understanding is actionable and can be used to establish employee and manager accountability. Initiating an evaluation program helps to track impact and change in employee actions and behaviors. When assessing the collected data, it is important to understand that major change does not happen at once, and adequately adjusting expectations to celebrate incremental success should be the goal.

What Sets Diversity Builder’s Curriculum and Facilitation Apart

Diversity Builder’s curriculum designers consider an organization’s challenges and goals when creating content. Every webinar and instructor-led training course is designed for individual organizations who need customized solutions to enable growth and innovation. Real life examples are incorporated into each workshop. Diversity Builder tailors the PowerPoint slides and facilitation of bias training for each company to promote positive and impactful outcomes. Bias training should be refreshed continually for the long term, through multiple sessions. The impact of bias is so significant that it is beneficial to incorporate it into an organization’s diversity and inclusion vision.

Research References

1  Rebecca A. Dore, British Journal of Developmental Psychology

2  Olivia Nelson, “Potential for Progress: Implicit Bias Journey to Make Change,” Joseph Wharton Scholars, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

3 Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases by Paul Slovic and Amos Tversky, Cambridge University Press

4  National Bureau of Economic Research, Amanda Pallais, Dylan Glover, William Pariente

Get Started With Bias Training