Workshops

Recognise and Respond to Gender Bias

This is our signature workshop and looks at the main ways in which gender bias shows up in the workplace. We developed the scenarios in this workshop after speaking with over one hundred women in the workplace to hear about the everyday challenges they face. Some of the topics we explore include microaggressions, gender stereotypes and gendered expectations. We hear about the problem before seeing it in action through performed scenarios that are based on real life experiences. We’ll then facilitate a discussion around the impact of these behaviours: how they show up and how they’re holding women back. Once we have an understanding of how and why it's happening, we talk about how to respond in real time and the role we all play in driving gender equity.

This workshop equips participants with practical actions to respond to bias, so it’s ideal for activating allyship and giving all employees a starting point for advocacy.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

This interactive workshop uses drama to bring to life the recent updates to the Equality Act 2010 and the protections it offers against sexual harassment in the workplace. Traditional training methods often fall short in inspiring lasting behavior change. Squash’s unique drama-based approach offers a powerful solution for both employees and managers

We use recorded, real-world scenarios, performed by professional actors, so employees can understand what constitutes sexual harassment and recognise the language and behaviours that perpetuate sexual harassment. Building this confidence will not only prevent behaviours going unnoticed but will give confidence in those reporting. We equip participants with practical steps they can take to respond, if they witness or experience sexual harassment, and how to go about reporting such incidents.

By immersing participants in these real-life situations, the workshop ensures that employees not only understand the legal framework but also feel empowered to act with confidence in the face of sexual harassment. 

The session is designed to create a safe, supportive environment where employees can reflect, discuss and develop practical strategies for creating a safer, more respectful workplace.

On completing the workshop, participants can expect to:

  • Understand the legal framework around protecting employees from sexual harassment, understand what’s expected of them and the role they play in creating a safe, inclusive work culture.

  • Recognise sexual harassment. We use drama to define the different types of sexual harassment in the workplace and to shine a light on any ‘grey-areas’  - from the subtle microaggressions to overt actions.

  • Develop the skills to respond. We equip participants with the language and actions to safely and effectively respond to sexual harassment, whether experienced or witnessed. 

  • Confidence in reporting. Understand and confidently navigate the process for reporting sexual harassment, ensuring employees are aware of their options and the steps involved in bringing forward a complaint.

  • Increased empathy. We spotlight the experiences of recipients of sexual harassment - helping employees and leaders empathise with those affected, enhancing awareness and cultural sensitivity.

  • Promote positive change. Commit to actions that contribute to an inclusive, harassment-free workplace by recognising the importance of cultural change, addressing inappropriate behaviours, and active allyship.

The workshop is typically 90 minutes but can be tailored. It can be delivered at scale by our pool of trained facilitators, as a workshop or talk format and online or in-person.

Bespoke DEI Workshops

We use drama to bring to life lived experiences of bias in the workplace, to shine a light on the reality of how bias shows up and to empower employees with the tools and language to recognise and respond to bias. We use 'perspective taking' to allow participants to step into someone else's shoes, which engages hearts and acts as the catalyst for lasting behaviour change.

Bring your culture to life

We create bespoke workshops for organisations based on different types of diversity. These give participants the chance to develop a deeper understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion, get comfortable with meaningful conversations and keep inclusion front of mind. These bespoke workshops provide a powerful way to engage people with DEI on an ongoing basis and to help them to understand the role that they play in fostering an inclusive culture.

We can focus on specific problem areas or create a programme that address different DEI themes and types of biases. Our team carry out research to bring to life the lived experiences of your employees or work with Employee Resource Groups or DEI teams to bring specific stories to life. 

The benefit of creating a bespoke piece of theatre is that it is customised to include language and nuances of your culture, and so works to target specific challenges. Holding up a mirror to your culture helps participants to recognise specific situations and behaviours. It also enables us to role-model ‘What Good Looks Like’ based on your values and DEI priorities.