Types of unconscious bias · Live online

Unconscious Bias

Explore common types of unconscious bias, question everyday assumptions and use practical checks to support fairer workplace decisions.

People do not all experience the same workplace in the same way. Leaders need confidence to notice barriers, question assumptions and hold respectful conversations without pretending to understand someone's experience for them. We create room for curiosity, thoughtful challenge and practical workplace learning.

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Managers collaborating in a leadership workshop

Explore. Practise. Make it yours.

Duration

Half day · 3.5 hours per half day

Group size

6–8 delegates

Format

Live online

Price — Online

From £999

+ VAT

where understanding becomes useful —

Why this course matters

Fairer decisions start with noticing the assumptions we can otherwise mistake for facts.

What you’ll explore in the Lab

Our minds use shortcuts to process information, but those shortcuts can influence who we listen to, how we interpret behaviour and the opportunities we offer. This half-day live online course helps leaders, team leaders, HR professionals and colleagues across the business understand common types of unconscious bias and where they can show up at work.

We explore affinity and confirmation bias, the halo and horns effects, attribution bias, conformity bias and assumptions linked to age, gender or disability. Delegates consider examples from recruitment, performance reviews, meetings and work allocation, then practise slowing down judgements, checking evidence and seeking different perspectives. The aim is awareness supported by practical decision-making habits, not labelling individuals or claiming that a single workshop eliminates bias.

a real challenge. a purposeful response.

The challenges this addresses

First impressions shaping opportunities and assessment
Familiarity or stereotypes influencing workplace judgement
Work allocation guided by assumptions rather than consistent criteria
Alternative perspectives missing when familiar judgements go unchallenged

What this can change at work

Fairer decisions require a closer look at the assumptions behind them. Colleagues learn to recognise common biases, separate impressions from evidence and use consistent criteria in everyday judgements. Inviting other perspectives can help teams examine choices about opportunities, assessment and work allocation more carefully. The business gains a practical way to question familiar patterns and support fairer working practices without treating awareness alone as the finished job.

Evidence before impressions

Decision discussions distinguish relevant examples from first impressions, with colleagues checking the basis for judgements about people and opportunities.

Consistent criteria applied

Managers use agreed criteria when comparing options or allocating work, making the reasons for their choices available for discussion.

Assumptions respectfully challenged

Colleagues invite alternative perspectives and question unsupported assumptions in meetings before the group settles on a decision about people.

Inside the workshop

Delivered live online for 6–8 delegates, the workshop moves from understanding mental shortcuts to examining common bias types through workplace scenarios. Facilitated discussion, virtual breakouts and individual reflection help people distinguish assumptions from evidence. Delegates test practical checks for recruitment, reviews and everyday team decisions, including consistent criteria and constructive challenge. Participation can be verbal or written, with no requirement to disclose personal experiences. Each person leaves with an action to apply and a decision-checking approach to try at work.

Make Unconscious Bias relevant to your business

Tell us where you want to make progress with unconscious bias and the mental shortcuts behind it. We can discuss suitable workplace examples, priorities and access needs before agreeing the scope. This course is delivered live online for people in the UK and Europe, with timings agreed around participants.

Discuss this course

What the training covers

The scope below sets out the subjects covered. Workplace examples and practice are shaped around your team within the booked format.

Unconscious bias and the mental shortcuts behind it
Affinity bias: favouring people who feel familiar
Confirmation bias: looking for evidence that supports an assumption
Halo and horns effects: letting one impression shape the whole judgement
Attribution bias: assumptions about why people succeed or struggle
Conformity bias: following the group rather than testing a view
Age, gender and disability-related assumptions at work
Practical checks for recruitment, reviews, meetings and work allocation

What’s included in your booking

Your booked time and format: Half day · Live online · 6–8 delegates.
Included in every course: Interactive, facilitator-led learningLive, hands-on sessions built around practice and participation.
Group discussionsShared conversations about real situations, so people learn from each other as well as the facilitator.
Breakout exercisesSmall-group practice, role-play and problem-solving, online or in the room.
Take-away materialsCourse materials, tools and templates to use back at work.
Facilitated learning and practical application: The subject coverage, exercises and facilitator feedback described above, with space to connect the learning to relevant workplace situations. The workshop description sets out the specific plans, prompts or tools developed in this course.

Follow-up coaching, refresher sessions and additional delivery days are not automatic inclusions; any additions are agreed in your proposal. Travel, venue arrangements and any software licences are confirmed separately where relevant. Prices exclude VAT.

Outcomes

The capabilities delegates work towards through the training and practice:

Distinguish common types of unconscious bias using workplace examples
Identify where assumptions may influence everyday decisions
Separate impressions from evidence and use consistent decision criteria
Invite alternative perspectives and challenge assumptions respectfully
Choose a practical action to support fairer working practices

the next conversation is where it counts —

Take it back to work.

Choose a real situation where you want to apply the learning. Use it to turn an outcome into a manageable first step, then reflect on what changes.

Choose

Start with one priority: Distinguish common types of unconscious bias using workplace examples.

Apply

Try the approach in a relevant task or conversation. Note what felt useful and what you would adapt.

Review

Reflect on what happened, seek feedback where appropriate and choose your next step. Follow-up support can be discussed separately.

Bring this topic to your next event

We can discuss adapting Unconscious Bias into a keynote or large-group session, focusing on the themes most relevant to your audience. Depth, activities, timings and any follow-up depend on the format and package you choose; an event session is not a substitute for the full course.

Explore Speaking & Events

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Recognise how communication barriers can affect workplace participation
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Choose an action to discuss with colleagues and relevant support

Included in every course

Interactive, facilitator-led learning
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Bring the challenge your people want to work on. We'll shape a practical training workshop or coaching experience around it — with room to explore, practise and take a useful next step.

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