In October we asked tenants in our email newsletter how equality, diversity and inclusion could be better at Cairn.
We received 11 responses.
What do you think Cairn needs to do to become a more diverse, equal and inclusive organisation to tenants and other customers?
| Survey your customers and ask them how they fit within the social model of disability and which, if any of the protected characteristics they fit within. But make it anonymous unless they choose to put personal details in. Then you will have a better understanding of your customer base, which will then allow you to look at the needs of each identifiable community |
| I think you should show the same equality to people with mental health issues as they do to those who have physical disabilities. As a tenant who has to endure 3.5 years in a studio flat with mental issues which could have been improved if he had been given the chance to transfer to an available 1 bedroom flat. Instead it was given to someone who didn’t even live at the court. This person is enjoying the benefits I’ve wanted for long time and this is extremely upsetting. I can’t move forward with my life. I made a complaint and was basically told I could go on the housing list. Mental health is just as equally debilitating as a physical disability. Not a nice way to be treated. |
| I find it funny that you have a policy for equality, diversion and inclusion but not overcrowding. |
| This sounds great in terms of staff training in diversity. How will this impact on creating opportunities for those from diverse backgrounds to become tenants, i.e. how will you open up to people from all walks of life? Will you be more able to offer tenancies to those escaping life threatening situations? How will you make yourselves known to various groups of at risk people? |
| I wouldn’t say they needed to do anything I just moved into a new property and they have been more than helpful since day one I suffer from mental health and learning difficulties so a major thank you for being so supportive. |
| More communication with tenants on a more regular basis, everyone should be treated as equal, people of a certain age are old fashioned in their way of thinking about diversity and treating everybody equal. You should be more involved in informing the older generation that times have changed and it’s now everybody responsibility to treat everybody the same no matter if they have different views and opinions . |
| I believe, that you are already on top of being an organisation, that delivers respect and consideration to all clients and members of the public, to whom they may be in contact. I think that a great way to educate the wider population of your clients is via your newsletter. Maybe inputting a column on each publication on different diverse groups for example religion and age. Reporting on basic information for example age how all ages should be spoken to with respect, i..e. maybe how children should be spoken to and not shouted at or an old person should be given the right to speak for themselves. Just a couple of ideas. However am sure if you speak to your team of staff they will be able to come up with great ideas that can be printed without prejudice or malice. |
| There is no need to do anything other than what you are doing already. As an company you are already doing everything it needs to and diversity is a key to the normal day to day running. Any extra expenditure on this subject is a waste of money that should be used on the upkeep of the properties such as replacing outdate kitchens bathrooms and heating systems. Diversity training is an unnecessary additional expense. |
| Treat all tenants in the same way which is something not happening. I cite my case against a nightmare neighbour which you have sat on for over 4 years and done nothing despite promise after promise. |
| I think the main reason thing you need to do is to have some sort of hub or some such thing. There is nowhere where we can express our selfs to let you know what the community is feeling. You need to let us know how diverse you are. I don’t know who works for you or what your policies are. Maybe if on our email there was a picture gallery of the staff to see how diverse you really are. I think somewhere where we could go to report discrimination and talk about things that would help our community would be a great help. This could not be a free for all and could maybe be manned by some tenants as well as staff on maybe a monthly basis. You have to take the lead here and show you are out in front. |
Conclusion
We received some great responses to this complex question so a huge thanks to tenants for taking the time to give us their thoughts on this topic.
As a result of your feedback, we are going to:
- Carry out a survey next year
- Think out of the box when it comes to advertising hard-to-let properties to see if we can increase the range of diversity in our applications
- Educate tenants and staff on why diversity and equality is so important
