By Darren Ryder and Johanna Parker I APS Academy
Australia is a complex multicultural society made up of many cultures, faiths and lived experiences. This includes the people the APS serves and work beside.
The Towards Fairness - Multicultural Framework Review noted, ‘a multicultural society does not succeed by chance. It requires the hard work, collective commitment and goodwill of governments, organisations of all kinds, and ordinary citizens’. It is time for self-reflection. Recognising and addressing unconscious bias in the workplace is a key tool to address discrimination and reduce harm. We are all responsive for an inclusive society and everyone should take a human rights approach to inclusivity, fairness, respect and equality.
Just what is unconscious bias? Managing unconscious bias in the workplace defines unconscious bias as ’attitudes and patterns of perceptions that are held subconsciously’. These automatic assumptions can influence thoughts and actions that may result in the creation of unfair advantage or disadvantage without the decision-maker’s awareness. In the workplace, these judgements and decisions can result in unfair and negative consequences for those subjected to the bias, lack of inclusiveness, and potentially, unintended discrimination.
We can exhibit unconscious bias as both positive and negative stereotypes about groups of people. Awareness is the first step to identify how your actions may influence fair and ethical decision-making for the people we work beside and serve. Consider Perception bias – the unconscious filtering of information, people, or situations based on personal assumptions, stereotypes, or past experiences rather than objective reality. Think about how these stereotypes may influence decision-making and actions for recruitment, promotion and even those you engage for policy and program advice.
Examples of everyday behaviours are brought to life in the Many Cultures, One APS video storytelling series (Many Cultures, One APS). Through the lived experience of APS employees, the series explores unconscious bias, encouraging all APS employees to be aware of how their actions, language and behaviours may impact the people they work alongside.
But where to start? There are free and engaging resources in APSLearn for you to draw on:
- APS Integrated Unconscious Bias Training Program
- MOSAIC multicultural awareness digital magazine
- Many Cultures, One APS
- Closing the Gap - Allyship toolkit
- Engaging with First Nations Communities Workshop for SES B1 Level and for EL 1 and EL 2 levels and for APS 4 - 6 Levels.
The Australian Public Service Commission Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Action Plan highlights an APS workforce with a 26.1% CALD representation (as of December 2024). A path ’Towards Fairness‘ starts with awareness. Recognising unconscious bias and the positive actions you can take will strengthen workplaces as inclusive environments for all APS employees.