EDI Strategy Case Study
Improving workplace behaviour in the public sector
As experts in the field, the Half the Sky team was commissioned to understand and tackle exclusionary behaviour within a government department with over 23,000 members across the UK.
“This is the most impactful and insightful report this group has ever received.”
Senior Official, Government Department
Approach
For this project, we invited voluntary participation in wide-reaching qualitative research focused on our spectrum model of workplace behaviour, using one-to-one interviews and group discussions. This enabled individuals to discuss their experiences of exclusionary and discriminatory behaviours in a safe and trustful environment, and revealed highly personal stories that had, until now, never been shared.
Information was collected from 20 focus groups and 31 interviews, segmented by role and responsibility. We gathered 1500 data points and thematic analysis exposed patterns and insights relating to culture, behaviour, hierarchy, policies, processes. For the first time, the organisation was able to understand the real human impact of exclusionary workplace behaviour.
Impact
The project uncovered why these poor practices were taking place and our findings enabled us to create a plan of actionable changes – covering everything from policy changes, to leadership training, and response systems and processes – which are now being implemented by the relevant functions.
The depth of the insight and the practical nature of our proposals give this piece of work the potential to transform the culture of this significant public institution.
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