An elephant in the room : an equality and diversity training manual

Most people are not racist, sexist, homophobic, ageist or prejudiced against faith groups and they don't deliberately make life harder for people with a disability.

However, they are bombarded with negative stereotypes and myths in their daily lives.

Their own limited opportunity for mixing with people different to them can lead to ignorance, insensitivity and unthinking prejudice.

The photocopiable material in this manual can be used with small discussion groups to challenge these negative stereotypes, myths and prejudices by increasing awareness.

The discussion-based approach aims to get people in the workplace talking openly about race, gender, disability, faith, age and sexuality.

An elephant in the room gives managers, trainers and personnel staff the material to raise the profile of equality and diversity in their organisation.

Taken as a whole the manual can help: change the way people think and behave at work; enable managers to be better people managers; enable the organisation to realise the full benefits of a diverse workforce; increase the awareness and sensitivity of staff towards their colleagues and their customers; and create equality and diversity champions. The manual recognises the importance of developing leadership from the top, of creating a safe environment for people to challenge and be challenged, and of creating champions to keep equality and diversity high on the organisation's agenda.

The approach taken to equality and diversity training has been found to be very effective in engaging staff at all levels because it allows people to relate to their own experience and to issues they come across in their workplace.