Consultation for Black and Minority Ethnic colleagues

Recent staff survey results have indicated different and predominantly less favourable outcomes within the Trust, for some colleagues who have declared themselves as either Black or Minority Ethnicity. As an organisation, it’s important that we understand why these differences exist and implement measures and initiatives to change this and ensure that EEAST is a better place to work for all of us.

To help us do this, we have commissioned an external specialist Equality and Diversity consultancy, McKenzies, to undertake some confidential consultation on our behalf. They will work to gather a detailed understanding of the reasons behind these differences and to make recommendations for the future.

How will it work?

The consultation will begin next week and will continue throughout the autumn, comprising of three separate stages:

1.Online survey

During August 2022, all minority ethnic colleagues within the Trust, will be given the opportunity to complete a short online Equality and Diversity survey. The survey, will be anonymous and the results will be compiled by McKenzies and reported back to the Trust in an anonymised format.

 

2.Confidential telephone call

During September and October, the same colleagues will be offered a short confidential telephone interview with a McKenzies diversity consultant to talk through their own experiences of working at EEAST as someone of minority ethnicity. Once again, a summary of anonymised comments will be presented back to the Trust.

 

3.Buzz Group

Also, during September and October, all minority ethnic colleagues will be invited to attend a short, informal, virtual ‘buzz group’ to discuss their experiences of working at EEAST. Experiences will be shared with McKenzies diversity consultant. An anonymised summary of all discussions and key points raised during groups will be provided to the Trust Exec.

 

Voluntary involvement

Participation in any part of the consultation process is entirely voluntary. The Trust will not know who has, or has not, participated. However, for us to better understand where the issues lie and ultimately how to resolve them, we do need as many of you as possible to get involved in one or more the planned consultation activities.

 

FAQs

Do I have to take part?

No. Participation is entirely voluntary. However, if you do decide to take part, you may complete one, two or all three of the activities.

 

Who is the external specialist consultancy?

Following a short procurement exercise, we selected McKenzie LLP. Formed in 1996, McKenzie specialise exclusively within the areas of Equality, Inclusion and Dignity at Work. They also have considerable healthcare and NHS experience. You can find out more about the company here.  

We selected an external specialist for two reasons:

1.To provide us with expertise and guidance in this area

2.To provide you with a completely anonymous and external route of consultation -

     allowing you to speak entirely freely about your views and experiences of working

     as a person of minority ethnicity in EEAST.

 

Is the process anonymous? 

Yes. The stage one survey is completed online, you do not need to enter your name or department. No other I.T. data (including details about your computer) are returned to McKenzie, so all the information is collected in an anonymous format.

The stage two telephone interviews will require you to book an interview using an e-mail address. This does not have to be your Trust e-mail if you wish to remain anonymous. Once booked, you will be supplied with a date and time to call the interview line. All comments made during the telephone interviews will be anonymised before reporting back to the Trust.

The buzz groups will, of course, require you to attend a workshop. Only first names will be used on the day and no attendance records will be kept. Any names given during these workshops will not be used in any subsequent reporting.

 

How do I complete the survey?

You can click here to complete the survey, which will be open throughout August 2022.

For myself, as Director of Strategy, Culture and Education, and for the wider Executive team, it is crucial that we fully understand the perspective of our black and minority ethnic colleagues in order to make those changes that we all want to see. I am keen to work with you, and our respective networks, to ensure that EEAST is a more inclusive, representative, and equitable place to work and learn for everyone.

Thank you all for your support.

Hein Scheffer
Director of Strategy, Culture and Education

Published 3rd August 2022