Question 1

How does Unlock work?

Accepted Answer

Unlock gathers the recommendations, demands and suggestions of those most affected by racism in the arts sector, and creates a series of actions that arts and cultural organisations can take to make their places of creative practice more inclusive.

​You can choose which actions to take, and how long you can enact them in your organisation. You may already be doing some of them.

Once you have chosen which actions to do, we will send you an email summary of your choices. We will also show you how your chosen actions compare to the actions chosen by other organisations in the arts and cultural sector.

We will stay in touch with you to help you stay on track with your ambitions for anti-racist action.   You can find out more here.

Question 2

Who is Unlock for?

Accepted Answer

The Unlock Framework has been designed to be used by arts and culture organisations, including: 
Commercial Producers
Commissioning organisations
Craft organisations
Dance Companies
Galleries
Museums and collections
Receiving Houses
Regional Theatres
Smaller Independent Producers
Subsidised Companies

Question 3

How does my organisation use Unlock? / Is Unlock an anti-racism policy?

Accepted Answer

Unlock is a toolkit for anti-racist actions that arts and culture organisations can use and act on to turn into their anti-racism plans and policies.

Question 4

What does the Unlock form look like?

Accepted Answer

Question 5

Am I liable to committments made in Unlock?

Accepted Answer

The actions and timeframes you commit to are for your purposes only. We may periodically check in on your progress with these actions as per the timescales you've set, but this remains confidential. We may anonymise this data and use it for research and advocacy purposes, but this will not be identifiable back to a user.

Question 6

Can I change my Unlock committments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can log in to your Inc Arts Unlock account any time, and change your Unlock answers by clicking through the 'Hire', 'Work and Care' and 'Leadership' sections on the 'Take Action' page again.

Question 7

Who knows what committments I have made in Unlock?

Accepted Answer

Only the account holder/user (yourself) and Inc Arts Unlock.

Question 8

What do I do after I have submitted my Unlock commitments?

Accepted Answer

Use these commitments to create an anti-racism action plan for your organisation, and start acting on them!

Question 9

What does my 'Level' mean?

Accepted Answer

Your level is designed to show you how your chosen actions compare to the actions chosen by other organisations in the arts and cultural sector.

Question 10

How has the Unlock process been developed?

Accepted Answer

Unlock gathers the recommendations, demands and suggestions of those most affected by racism in the arts sector. The actions have been developed with input and consultation from:
Inc Arts’ Speak-Listen-Reset-Heal conferenceManifestos by cultural collectives
People who experience racism
Arts and culture organisations and leaders
Legal professionals

Question 11

The 2010 Equality Act: What's the law on making my team more ethnically diverse?

Accepted Answer

For specific information on Diversity and the law, see more questions below.   Taking positive action is permitted in certain circumstances where individuals with a protected characteristic are under-represented in the workplace – you should refer to the EHRC Code of Practice for further details on the circumstances where positive action is permissible.   Offering enhanced training, support or mentoring opportunities for targeted groups is permissible under the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010, as these are considered proportionate actions to meet the legitimate aim of encouraging participation or minimising disadvantage amongst an under-represented group. Creating Positive Action plans are advisable, provided the contents of the plan are lawful. Setting targets for increasing participation of a targeted group or groups is permissible under the Equality Act 2010 (see paragraph 12.24 in the EHRC Code).   However, please note that it is not permissible to positively discriminate against other employees in order to meet these targets. It is not lawful to hire individuals from targeted groups over better-qualified non-diverse candidates, or remove non-diverse employees from existing roles, in order to meet the minimum diversity target etc.   It IS lawful to include protected characteristic as part of the required skillset in hiring (NOT as an essential, YES as a 'desirable' ) where that protected characteristic is under-represented in the workplace and where that knowledge is relevant to the role(s).   Further resources can be found here: The FAQs for the Theatre Casting Toolkit on understanding the legal framework around discrimination They are drafted with specific reference to performers but the principles are of general application. The Equality and Human Rights Commission Employment Statutory Code of Practice - pages 159-170 are on general positive action. It is an important and useful document as it is the statutory code of practice and contains helpful examples. Supplement to the Employment Statutory Code of Practice covers positive action in recruitment and promotion as the section in the Equality Act on this type of positive action was not in force when the code of practice was published (pages 7-9) Government Equalities Office “A quick start guide to using positive action in recruitment and promotion” specifically refers to this particular type of positive action.

Question 12

Where can I find examples of best practice in the sector?

Accepted Answer

Have a look at our Inclusion in Practice page here. This is where we will be sharing best practice on how organisations are taking radical action to make inclusive change. Share your stories with us - and we'll share it with others.

Question 13

Where can I find diverse networks to share job posts and other opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Inc Arts UK has collated a list of diverse networks: https://incarts.uk/talent-finder

Question 14

How diverse should my team be? What level of diversity is right for my organisation?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where you are based, but what’s important is the welcome you create to everyone. NE England has an almost 94% white population, London is more than 40% ethnically diverse. A 15% staff target is a good ambition for many who are not near larger, more ethnically diverse areas. When considering what percentages are appropriate for your organisations make sure you can demonstrate and make clear that you are doing this within the Equality Act 2010. Taking positive action is permitted in certain circumstances where individuals with a protected characteristic are under-represented in the workplace – you should refer to the EHRC Code of Practice for further details on the circumstances where positive action is permissible. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk

Question 15

How can I diversify my workforce with limited budget capacity?

Accepted Answer

There are many ways - The Albany is an example of a team that decided to reduce the hours of the senior team to increase and diversify the workforce. You can read more on our 'Inclusion in Practice' page.

Question 16

How do I diversify my job ads?

Accepted Answer

Job analysis tools can spot bias in language - the best approach combines tech and training to spot language bias - the words we use can skew towards a particular gender, for example. More resources here. www.diversitybestpractices.com

Question 17

How do I make my job ads accessible and inclusive?

Accepted Answer

Shape Arts, Unlimited and Arts Admin have put together a useful Accessible Marketing Guide. While this refers to accessbility in regards to disability access needs, it is also important to think about inclusive marketing. You should also be consulting specialists on this.

Question 18

Can we use ‘diverse only’ lists to find people to work with?

Accepted Answer

In 1993 the UK government introduced legislation that allowed women-only shortlists that in 1997 resulted in a record number of women MPs entering parliament. The 2010 Equality Act has refined it to say that whilst merit MUST be a priority when hiring, taking positive action in advertising your jobs is permitted where a protected characteristic is under-represented in a workplace. The Equality Act 2010 extended the statute around women-only lists (where women are under-represented) so that it will now continue in effect until 2030. Taking positive action in advertising your jobs is permitted in certain circumstances where individuals with a protected characteristic are under-represented in the workplace – you should should refer to the EHRC Code of Practice for further details on the circumstances where positive action is permissible. The positive action provisions under the Equality Act 2010 permit a shortlist to be tailored to certain demographics (and specific protected characteristics) if the candidates selected for the shortlist are "as qualified as" the candidates who are not. The diversity of the shortlist should be achieved through measures such as targeted advertising (for example advertising through the networks listed on Inc Arts' Talent Finder) rather than an express policy of shortlisting "diverse" candidates over non-diverse candidates.

Question 19

I've used a blind recruitment process. How will I know whether my shortlist is diverse?

Accepted Answer

Your HR lead (or someone else who is not involved in the interview/shortlist process) can check applicants’ details after you have shortlisted- and you can use agencies to add candidates to the shortlisting process.

Question 20

What is the Rooney Rule?

Accepted Answer

The Rooney Rule requires “at least one woman and one underrepresented minority [to] be considered in the slate of candidates for either every open position or every open senior position (the details vary from company to company).” Originally implemented by the National Football League (NFL), and named after Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, the original Rooney Rule sought to increase the opportunities for ethnically diverse people to hold NFL head coaching positions. The results were impressive – diversity in head coaching hires in the NFL increased from 6% to 22% in 2006. You can read more about the Rooney Rule and how it relates to UK law on our 'Inclusion in Practice' page.

Question 21

Should we look at people’s photos?

Accepted Answer

Unconscious bias kicks in when we are presented with a candidate’s personal details - we filter according to a range of deeply held beliefs and factors, some of which we are totally unaware of. We recommend that identifiable features are removed as far as is possible from the first stage of recruitment: from application to shortlisting. Do not make staffing decisions based on what a person looks like, or on any other protected characteristic. We recognise that sometimes this is unavoidable - when the work we engage in means that personal details are integral to the appointment (e.g. when an artist centres themselves in their work). We advise that once you have made a candidate shortlist, it can be helpful to have a look at a candidate’s identity, to ensure that when you are interviewing you can meet any target you choose in interviewing diverse candidates. That way you can take action to increase diversity if you need to. At the interview stage, when candidates come into a building, you will see them at their best if they feel expected, and welcome. So reception, anyone greeting candidates and interviewing them should know who and what to expect. A photo can be helpful at this stage but is not the ‘cure all’: identity is a complex thing and ethnicity may not always be determined by a photo. If you choose to shortlist based on ethnicity, the positive action rules that are set out in the Equality Act apply: if a protected characteristic is under-represented in your workplace, you can take positive and active steps to improve diversity in your workforce. The sharing of personal data should be conducted in compliance with an organisation's requirements under the GDPR.

Question 22

What is UK ENIC? How do I use it to assess qualifications?

Accepted Answer

UK ENIC (the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills) provides a practical way of assessing qualifications that you may not be familiar with.
https://www.enic.org.uk/Default.aspx

Question 23

Can I limit the length of time people work with us?

Accepted Answer

It is illegal to simply remove people from existing roles and advertise the same role without any change in job duties or responsibilities.  Employees would have unfair dismissal rights and potentially a discrimination claim if it could not be justified.  If you want to take radical action and diversify your workforce in senior roles, you might consider changing job responsibilities, and limiting the length of contract for future post holders of reconfigured jobs. To understand the complexity and potential risks we strongly recommend you taking employment legal advice to make sure you don’t expose your organisation to an employment claim.

Question 24

Can we create ‘diverse only’ training and development opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Offering enhanced training, support or mentoring opportunities for targeted groups is permissible under the positive action provisions of the Equality Act 2010, as these are considered proportionate actions to meet the legitimate aim of encouraging participation or minimising disadvantage amongst an under-represented group. If you’re creating training and space for ethnically diverse staff, consider the positive action provisions and make clear it is to address under-representation in your workplace - and do so in addition to the work you currently do in providing training and space for others. Taking positive action is permitted in certain circumstances where individuals with a protected characteristic are under-represented in the workplace – you should refer to the EHRC Code of Practice for further details on the circumstances where positive action is permissible.

Question 25

Anonymous feedback and formal grievances: when should we manage this in-house?

Accepted Answer

Grievance procedures are formal internal procedures dealt with by managers in accordance with the ACAS code of practice on disciplinary procedures and grievances. We recommend that all managers get to know employment law - or take legal advice when managing a grievance.  What’s even better is to be able to create the conditions where concerns are managed BEFORE  they become formal grievances.   If the size of your organisation means it’s difficult to guarantee anonymity in feedback, then you might consider using a third party to gather feedback on your behalf.  This can provide people harmed by racism with the assurance that they will not experience negative treatment as a result of raising a concern.  Whilst requests for anonymity should always be dealt with sensitively and respectfully, anonymity will not be necessary for all grievances and can limit the effectiveness of the procedure.

Question 26

What do you mean by 'sanctions and rewards'?

Accepted Answer

Normal employment rules and practice on performance management and termination should apply in relation to any consequences for failing to meet targets.

Question 27

Which organisations can support my offer of free counselling for members of my team that experience racism?

Accepted Answer

Organisations that provide these services and resources include:
Inc Arts Minds in partnership with Chanua HealthBlack Minds Matter UKThe Black, African and Asian Therapy network

Question 28

What is the Social Model of Disability?

Accepted Answer

From Scope UK: 'The social model of disability is a way of viewing the world, developed by disabled people.'

'The model says that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. Barriers can be physical, like buildings not having accessible toilets. Or they can be caused by people's attitudes to difference, like assuming disabled people can't do certain things.

The social model helps us recognise barriers that make life harder for disabled people. Removing these barriers creates equality and offers disabled people more independence, choice and control.' 
For more information: https://www.scope.org.uk/about-us/social-model-of-disability/

Question 29

What is 360 feedback?

Accepted Answer

360 Feedback is a process whereby those junior and senior to you, as well as your peers, can feed back their evaluation. This can include performers, contractors or anyone else you interact with professionally.

Question 30

What is the Inc Arts Charter?

Accepted Answer

The Inc Arts Charter is a public committment to anti-racism. Sign up to the Inc Arts charter to affirm that you are making practical efforts to support the black and ethnically diverse workforce in the UK. If you would like to sign up to the Inc Arts charter please save, sign, date and email to hello@incarts.uk.   https://tinyurl.com/incartscharter

Question 31

Why shouldn't I use the term BAME?

Accepted Answer

Throughout August 2020 more than 1,000 people took Inc Arts’ #BAMEOver survey, and on 4th September over 250 people came together to reset the terms of reference for people with lived experience of racism. We set out to answer the question, ‘What do we want to be called?’
Through our discussion we’ve come up with a guide to terminology, for use by everyone who wants to be an effective ally and wants to avoid causing further harm through the use of casual and inaccurate language. We do not want to be grouped into a meaningless, collective term, or reduced to acronyms. 
Here are our preferred terms of reference for people in the UK:
We are African Diaspora people
We are South, East, and South East Asian diaspora people.
We are Middle East and North African people.
We are ethnically diverse.
We are people who experience racism.
Use these terms in any order you choose.
Just don't call us BAME.   https://incarts.uk/%23bameover-the-statement

Question 32

What is the 1% challenge?

Accepted Answer

The 1% challenge is a proposal and a provocation from Inc Arts - That along each budget line in each organisation, a minimum of 1% of the budget line is exclusively dedicated to a diversity intervention – directly addressing ethnicity and disability.   Find out more here:

Question 33

Access rider and personal passports

Accepted Answer

Link to TUC adjustment passport   Link Access Docs For Artists