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Understanding and overcoming unconscious bias
Unconscious bias is a pervasive phenomenon that influences decision-making processes in both public and private organisations. This comprehensive course on unconscious bias equips individuals and organisations with the necessary tools to mitigate bias and foster a more inclusive environment.
295
Online / In Person
1 half day - 9.30 to 13.00
About this course
What is unconscious bias? Unconscious biases are deeply ingrained attitudes and stereotypes that influence our judgement without conscious awareness. They stem from socialisation, upbringing, and cultural influences, affecting how we perceive and interact with others.
Why unconscious bias matters: unconscious bias affects every workplace decision. From recruitment and promotion to resource allocation and team dynamics, these mental shortcuts shape outcomes without our awareness.
The business impact:
• Worse organisational performance, both financial and non-financial.
• Less innovation.
• Inconsistent and ‘noisy’ decision making.
• Talent potential not fully realised.
• Legal and reputational risks, for example by limiting promotion opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Why choose this course
This course is relevant to all professionals. Our training approach includes:
Interactive discussions and case studies.
Practical group and individual activities.
Self-assessment tools and reflection exercises.
Real-world examples relevant to your sector.
Evidence-based strategies from latest research.
Course syllabus
What you will learn:
- Identify different types of bias and their workplace impact.
- Recognise bias in yourself and others.
- Understand how bias affects decision-making processes.
- Implement practical strategies to manage bias.
- Develop techniques for inclusive and bias-checking behaviour.
- Create action plans for workplace application.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe what unconscious bias is and how it operates.
- Identify possible bias in themselves and others.
- Recognise biases in thinking patterns.
- Manage inappropriate behaviours caused by biased attitudes.
- Implement practical workplace strategies.
- Foster inclusive and more productive team environments.
Course formats available:
- Face-to-face: maximum 12 delegates per session.
- Virtual delivery: maximum 15 delegates via Zoom.
- Duration: one half day
- Customisation: content can be tailored to your organisation’s needs.
Who should attend:
- Senior leaders and managers.
- HR professionals.
- Recruitment teams.
- Anyone involved in decision-making processes.
- Employees seeking to improve inclusive practices.
Investment in your future: addressing unconscious bias demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion whilst creating measurable business benefits through improved decision-making and enhanced organisational performance.
Meet the trainer – Anthony Kennelly
Solicitor, BA, LLM
Anthony is a qualified solicitor and has been a part-time Programme Developer and Trainer with La Touche Training since September 2023. Anthony previously worked at leading commercial law firms and as...
Read BioPractical training with small groups to ensure quality.
Our training sessions are not lectures—they're practical, interactive experiences. The small group format allows every attendee to ask questions, take part in discussions involving practical exercises and role-plays.
This method of training allows attendees to put the skills learned into practice immediately. Course participants benefit from the focused attention and guidance of an independent expert.
Available dates
Register to attend
# SELECTED
| Course Dates | Location | Price | Spaces Left | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/11/26 i 03/11/2026 09:30 - 13:00 | Zoom Online | €295.00 | 12 |
Build awareness. Manage bias. Create inclusive workplaces.
FAQs
Unconscious bias refers to automatic attitudes, assumptions, or stereotypes that influence decisions without conscious awareness. These biases can affect recruitment, promotion, performance management, resource allocation and workplace interactions. Understanding unconscious bias helps professionals make fairer decisions and create more inclusive and effective working environments.
Unconscious bias can influence how people assess information, evaluate colleagues, select candidates, or allocate opportunities. It may lead to inconsistent decision-making, overlooked talent and reduced diversity of thought. Recognising these influences is an important step towards improving objectivity and fairness in professional settings.
Common forms of unconscious bias include affinity bias, confirmation bias, halo effect, and stereotyping. These biases can affect workplace decisions relating to hiring, promotions, performance reviews and team management. Understanding different bias types helps individuals identify potential blind spots in their own thinking.
Recognising unconscious bias requires self-reflection, awareness of decision-making patterns, and openness to feedback. Training, self-assessment exercises and examining assumptions about people or situations can help individuals identify biases that may be influencing their judgement without their knowledge.
Practical strategies include using structured decision-making processes, reviewing assumptions, seeking diverse perspectives, applying objective criteria and developing inclusive workplace behaviours. Regular reflection and awareness training can also help reduce the influence of unconscious bias over time.
Legal professionals regularly make decisions involving clients, witnesses, colleagues, recruitment and case management. Understanding unconscious bias can support fair decision-making, improve professional judgement, strengthen client relationships and help promote equality and inclusion within legal practice and organisations.
Yes. Unconscious bias can contribute to unfair treatment, discrimination complaints, reduced employee engagement and reputational damage. Organisations that fail to address bias may face increased legal risks where decisions affect protected groups or result in unequal treatment.
Participants learn how unconscious bias develops, how it influences workplace decisions, how to identify bias in themselves and others and practical techniques for managing its impact. They also explore strategies for promoting inclusive behaviours and improving workplace decision-making.
