Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the questions to reveal the answer
Q: What does ClearTalents do?
A: At ClearTalents, we work with employers, employees and job applicants to make sure that every individual has the resources and support they require to unleash their full potential in the workplace. Our services help any organisation deliver its commitments to accessibility and inclusiveness, creating an environment where every employee can prosper without any obstacles.
FAQs for Employers and Recruiters
Q: Will ClearTalents ensure compliance with the Equality Act?
A: Properly implementing the ClearTalents process in both the workplace and in recruitment goes beyond compliance to a best practice approach to diversity and inclusion. Every employee and candidate is proactively encouraged to disclose needs across all nine protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act (2010) and our reports empower managers and recruiters to put relevant adjustments in place and our dashboards enable HR, Diversity and wellbeing teams to monitor, manage and address issues.
Q: How can ClearTalents benefit my organisation?
A: ClearTalents can help your organisation create a more inclusive and diverse workplace by providing tools and resources to accommodate employees with disabilities, making your workplace more accessible for everyone.
Q: Will we receive an overwhelming number of adjustment requests?
A: No, that’s the key point about ClearTalents. It only gathers relevant information from the individual and empowers the recruiter and line manager with the exact information they need to provide the required adjustments. So it doesn’t feel overwhelming or daunting, just sensible and appropriate.
Q: Will ClearTalents work with our existing systems and processes?
A: Yes, ClearTalents is designed to fit anywhere in your HR, OH and recruitment processes – with the option of full integration or more separate operations as required.
Q: How does ClearTalents address the DSE (Display Screen Equipment) requirement for employees?
A: The DSE assessment is a requirement for all employees that use a computer or electronic equipment with a screen at a desk. ClearTalents has a specific section that covers all the DSE requirements, provides detailed recommendations for employer and employee, as well as additional questions and resources around safe working. It reports on the specific ‘health’ of DSE usage across the entire organisation, as well as integrating DSE health into overall adjustment data.
Q: Will it result in many claims and unrealistic expectations?
A: For employees, ClearTalents makes it very clear that whilst their employer wants to be as supportive as possible the solutions provided must be reasonable. The employee is encouraged to work proactively with managers to implement sensible solutions. The result is a distributed approach that requires very little escalation, or central management or budget. For job candidates, a similar expectation is set. In both cases, managers and recruiters follow the best practice advice provided in the report and ClearTalents provides employers with a comprehensive audit trail of your reasonable adjustment practice which protects you within the law.
Q: As well as advice about Reasonable Adjustments does ClearTalents provide any other benefits?
A: Yes. ClearTalents In Recruitment also covers mental health considerations. ClearTalents At Work similarly covers mental health issues as well as workplace safety, a full Display Screen Equipment (DSE) component and an optional bullying and harassment component. Organisations using ClearTalents find that it reduces sickness, staff turnover, compromise agreements and industrial tribunals.
Q: We already have an OH team in place – what does this system offer that they do not already cover?
A: Research shows that as many as 56% of employees and candidates could benefit from some sort of adjustment (Forrester research 2005) so an automated approach with embedded expertise is the only effective solution. Despite having OH and other support in place the challenge most employers face is encouraging candidates and employees to identify their needs and ask for the help available. And if they do request support it can be difficult to quickly identify and implement Reasonable Adjustments. ClearTalents offers expert resources and advice across all nine ‘protected characteristics’ defined by the Equality Act 2010 and instantly provides tailored advice and recommended adjustments, which is of use to OH and HR professionals as well as line managers and employees.
Q: How long are the reports?
A: ClearTalents reports are modular and give easy-to-use information in short action-oriented nuggets. For recruiters, each stage of the application has its own separate ‘mini report’ providing only the info you need for that stage. For line managers or HR who need to refer back to a report, you can dip in and out of the relevant sections with more detailed information always available for those that require it.
Q: What if an employee requires an expert’s help?
A: ClearTalents helps deal with the vast majority of adjustments in a timely and sensitive way, but it also recognises that for some individuals the personal involvement of an expert is going to be appropriate. In these cases ClearTalents will identify the need to involve an expert and direct them to the right person or team. That could be a referral to an internal or external contact, which is specified when the system is set up and can be monitored and adjusted over time.
Q: How do I know employees and candidates will be prepared to complete this questionnaire?
A: We have conducted research on how to foster a positive response from employees and our findings show that employees across various organisations willingly invest time to complete it with accuracy and thoughtfulness. Completion rates for employees profiles are typically more than 70%, with up to 98% in some organisations. We believe this high rate is because ClearTalents is perceived as supportive, relevant, and informative. It earns the admiration of employees who not only appreciate the support from their employer and gain valuable personalised expert insights – all within just a few minutes. As for candidates, the decision to create a ClearTalents profile is entirely up to them. However, providing it as a supportive means for them to share their needs is significant in fostering a compliant and best-practice approach. As for candidates, the decision to create a ClearTalents profile is entirely up to them. However, providing it as a supportive means for them to disclose their needs is significant in fostering a compliant and best-practice approach.
Q: What help can you provide to help organisations establish the service?
A: Our Managed Service team help set up the system and ensure that it is running smoothly. Once it’s up and running they can assist with more complex cases and provide regular reporting so that the impact of the service is clearly conveyed to senior management.
Q: We are a large employer with many different and varied stakeholders, how do we ensure that the right people get the right level of information?
A: During the setup process you set the reporting levels and decide on who gets what and when. ClearTalents can advise you on managing this to suit your organisation’s needs.
Q: Is ClearTalents suitable for small employers?
A: Yes, the ClearTalents report gives you all you need to put the appropriate adjustment in place – or links you to the person who can provide it – so you save time and money not having to start from scratch on something that is a legal obligation for every employee.
FAQs for Individuals
Q: I am not disabled, is this relevant for me?
A: Yes it is. ClearTalents asks about any circumstances that an employer could reasonably be expected to provide support for. This includes caring or parenting responsibilities, commitments around your faith or culture, pregnancy or maternity and many others.
Q: Who will use the information I provide?
A: For employees, the information you provide will be shared with your line manager unless you choose not to – in which case it will go to the HR/wellbeing team. It may also be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis with other teams such as your HR department or Occupational Health, but this won’t happen without your agreement. For applicants, your information will go to the HR or recruitment team to make sure you get the adjustments you need throughout the application process.
Q: Can I keep my responses confidential?
A: For job applicants, your responses are only seen by the recruiter and are entirely confidential. As an employee, your ClearTalents report is sent to your line manager, or your HR/wellbeing team if you prefer. The information in the report is designed to help you get more support and understanding at work and will include instructions on how to support you. It will only include personal details that you are happy to share and you control who else is told about your needs.
Q: Will answering these questions be used against me?
A: No- This won’t be used against you. Organisations invest in ClearTalents to ensure you have the support and / or workplace adjustments you need. Any employer using ClearTalents wants all their employees and applicants to perform at their best. They are committed to helping you, but they cannot do so without your input.
Q: Do I get any information back as part of the process?
A: Yes. As well as a summary of your responses the report will suggest useful resources and contacts as well as handy tips that could help you at work, in your application or at home.
Q: I have a specific disability, can I just call someone instead of going through this process?
A: For job applicants, we really need to explore all areas of need to ensure you can perform at your best. For employees, yes you can – your HR or Occupational Health Department should know the best person to talk to. However, the Inclusion Passport is about much more than just disability and you may have other things to report so it’s important to explore those areas too.
Q: How long does it take to complete the questionnaire?
A: Most people take less than fifteen minutes but you can take longer if you have a lot to tell us or want to look at the resources we provide. You can stop at any time and finish later.
Q: Do I have to fill it in all at once?
A: You can save your answers at any time and return later to complete your profile.
