Some thoughts on Carmila's questions: My responses relate to support staff
but similar things are done for academic and related.
Q How do you go about updating your information? and how often is this done?
A We have had an adequate staff database for about six years, with provision
for ethnicity and disability. Initially data on new starters was entered, and
we did a survey of all staff a few years ago with a fairly low return rate.
This summer we have done another survey, more carefully thought out and worded
and, partly for this reason and partly perhaps because times have changed, got
a much better response. We now have ethnicity information for 80 percent plus
of staff. IN principle, as we collect data for new starters, we should
continue to have fairly complete information; however we will no doubt do
periodic verification surveys, for data protection reasons among other things.
Disability information, too, should be caught and people developing a
disability ought to tell us; but again we need to survey it.
Also, it has just occurred to me, the ethnicity categories are due for
revision (I think this is in mind for the next census). This implies that we
will have to follow this lead, if we are to be able to compare our information
with census data.
Q Is it compulsory for all individuals to fill in?
A We decided that it was inappropriate to go too far in asking for people to
state their ethnicity. We have an EO monitoring section on our application
form - clearly ideally this would be a separate sheet, sealed envelope etc but
we haven't found a workable way of doing this in our own situation. The staff
survey was voluntary - we followed up with a reminder and ended up with
something like a 90% response rate
Q What do you do about those who do not wish to either fill in the form or
choose to put "other" or "information not available"?
A We have a field for 'information not given'
Q What "category" is there for individuals who are from mixed families?
A None. It has to be self-definition; and it can't be easy. Maybe whatever
is worked out for the census will answer this.
Jenny
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