Workplace Equality

 By - Ayushi 

Workplace Equality

 Equality in the Workplace: What Does It Mean?

For years, the workplace has served as a battleground for many social justice issues such as the gender pay gap, racial discrimination, and discrimination based on sexual orientation. When people talk about taking a stand against discrimination and achieving equality, what does it mean exactly in the context of the workplace? To discuss the issue, we must first understand the different types of discrimination and the definition of equality. This gives us a better idea of where we want to go and what obstacles are in the way.

What is discrimination?

There cannot be equality in the workplace when discrimination is allowed to exist. Discrimination takes many forms, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on traits such as: Gender, Sexual orientation, Race, Age, Physical and mental disabilities, Pregnancy and Religious beliefs. A business discriminates when they pay employees in the same position different salaries based on any of the traits listed above. Businesses also discriminate if they deny compensation or benefits based on traits, and if they exclude certain people during recruitment and promotions. Equality in the workplace is also threatened when a company allows harassment and/or a culture of hostility towards certain employees. While the business is not necessarily directly involved in this type of discrimination, it has not taken steps to protect employees or establish consequences for those responsible.

What is equality?

The most basic form of equality in the workplace is a lack of discrimination. Different countries design laws and definitions to prevent discrimination. As an example, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that “it is illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employer because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.” The Commission goes on to say that it’s also illegal to retaliate against an employee who speaks out about discrimination, files a charge, or participates in an investigation of lawsuit about discrimination.

However, equality in the workplace runs deeper than simply the absence of discrimination. Businesses must also provide opportunities to all employees equally, so everyone has the chance to improve their skills. In practice, this could include making sure that retreats and workshops aren’t prohibitively expensive to lower-salaried employees and that certain employees aren’t overlooked for further training.

What about diversity in the workplace?

When equality in the workplace is being discussed, diversity in the workplace often comes up at the same time. Is there a difference? Technically, yes, but for a workplace to be truly equal, it must also remember diversity. Diversity acknowledges peoples’ differences, so instead of being ignored or used as a justification for discrimination, the differences are celebrated. Workplaces that value diversity understand that a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills improve work teams and business. Diversity expands the workplace’s collective mindset and philosophy, making the environment more creative and productive. True equality embraces diversity as much as it stands against discrimination.

Why does workplace gender equality matter?

Achieving gender equality is important for workplaces not only because it is ‘fair’ and ‘the right thing to do,’ but because it is also linked to a country’s overall economic performance. Workplace gender equality is associated with:

Improved national productivity and economic growth

Increased organisational performance 

Enhanced ability of companies to attract talent and retain employees Enhanced organisational reputation.

What exactly is Equality in the Workplace? 

Equality is fair treatment for people in every facet of life regardless of gender, race, disability, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or age.

But here’s the catch. Equality doesn’t necessarily translate to equal treatment for all. It is promoting an individual’s right to be different. You can do it by making adjustments in the system to meet the needs of other people.

The primary branches of equality are Diversity and Inclusion.