Fairness in the workplace isn’t just about policies—it’s about designing systems that produce real, measurable equity. Inspired by Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results by Iris Bohnet and Siri Chilazi, this checklist distills key principles for creating fairer workplaces through evidence-based interventions. Use it to assess and improve workplace fairness in hiring, promotions, team dynamics, and overall culture.
Checklist 1: Designing Fair Hiring Practices
Eliminate biases and increase transparency in recruitment.
- Did we establish clear, objective criteria before reviewing candidates?
- Have we structured interviews with consistent questions for all applicants?
- Did we use work sample tests or other objective assessments instead of relying solely on resumes?
- Have we implemented blind or anonymized resume reviews to reduce bias?
Checklist 2: Creating Equitable Promotion Pathways
Ensure that advancement opportunities are accessible to all employees.
- Are promotion criteria clearly defined and communicated to all employees?
- Did we assess performance using objective, measurable outcomes rather than subjective opinions?
- Have we audited promotion data to identify potential disparities across gender, race, or other demographics?
- Are mentorship and sponsorship programs equitably available to all employees?
Checklist 3: Mitigating Bias in Performance Evaluations
Reduce bias in feedback and appraisal processes.
- Did we use structured, behavior-based feedback rather than vague or subjective impressions?
- Have we trained managers to recognize and counteract unconscious biases?
- Did we implement calibration meetings to ensure consistency across performance ratings?
- Have we reviewed past evaluations to check for patterns of bias in scoring and feedback?
Checklist 4: Building Inclusive Team Dynamics
Foster collaboration and psychological safety for all employees.
- Did we establish clear norms for inclusive discussions in meetings?
- Have we ensured equal speaking time for all team members, avoiding dominance by a few voices?
- Did we address microaggressions or exclusionary behaviors when they arose?
- Have we implemented structured decision-making processes to prevent favoritism?
Checklist 5: Embedding Fairness in Organizational Culture
Make fairness an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time initiative.
- Did leadership openly communicate a commitment to workplace fairness?
- Have we built fairness and inclusion metrics into business KPIs?
- Did we collect employee feedback regularly and act on concerns about equity?
- Are we continuously testing and improving workplace policies based on data-driven insights?
How to Use This Checklist
This checklist serves as a practical tool for implementing the principles of Make Work Fair. Use it to evaluate existing workplace policies, structure fairer decision-making, and track progress over time. By integrating these evidence-based strategies, organizations can move beyond intention and achieve real, measurable equity in the workplace.
Why You Should Read Make Work Fair
Make Work Fair offers a research-backed approach to tackling workplace inequities. Instead of relying on good intentions, it provides concrete, data-driven strategies to remove bias, create transparency, and improve fairness in hiring, promotions, and daily work culture. If you’re committed to building an equitable workplace, this book is a must-read.
