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Unconscious Bias Training

15 December 2020

Proposing MP
Hornchurch and Upminster
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Cabinet Office

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The government is addressing the effectiveness of unconscious bias training in the workplace.

Action Requested

Ministers conclude that unconscious bias training does not achieve its intended aims and will phase it out in the Civil Service, encouraging other public sector employers to do likewise. The new strategy integrating principles for inclusion and diversity into core training will be published in the new year.

Key Facts

  • Unconscious bias training has no evidence of changing behaviour long term or improving workplace equality.
  • There is emerging evidence of unintended negative consequences from such training.
  • A systematic review involving over 87,000 participants found no association between changes to unconscious bias measures and changes in behaviour.
  • The Civil Service will phase out unconscious bias training by January 2020.
  • A new strategy integrating principles for inclusion and diversity into mainstream core training modules will be published in the new year.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy