- Useful equality and diversity resources
Although sometimes used interchangeably,theterms ‘equality' and ‘diversity' are notthe same.
Equalityis about‘creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and hasthe opportunityto fulfiltheir potential' (DH, 2004). Itis aboutidentifying patterns of experience based on group identity, andthe challenging processesthatlimitindividual's ‘potential' health and life chances.
For example, occupational segregation. Women make up almost75% ofthe NHS workforce butare concentrated inthe lower-paid occupational areas: nursing, allied health professionals (AHPs), administrative workers and ancillary workers (DH, 2005). People from black and minority ethnic groups comprise 39.1% of hospital medical staff yetthey comprise only 22.1% of all hospital medical consultants (DH, 2005).
An equalities approach understandsthatour social identity – interms of gender, race, disability, age, social class, sexuality and religion – will impacton our life experiences.
Diversityliterally means difference. When itis used as a contrastor additionto equality, itis aboutrecognising individual as well as group differences,treating people as individuals, and placing positive value on diversity inthe community and inthe workforce.
Historically, employers and services have ignored certain differences. However, individual and group diversity needsto be considered in orderto ensurethateverybody‘s needs and requirements are understood and respondedto within employmentpractice and service design and delivery.
One way in which organisations have respondedtothe issue of diversity in recentyears has beenthe developmentof flexibility in working practices and services. For example, an employer may allow an employeeto work a flexible working patternto accommodate child care arrangements, or a GP surgery may offer surgeries atthe weekends in accommodatethose who work fulltime duringthe week.
These approaches recognisethatin orderto be inclusive and equalto all, organisations may needto respond differentlyto individuals/groups.
Therefore, a commitmentto equality in additionto recognition of diversity meansthatdifferentcanbe equal.
Why is equality and diversity important?
Equality and diversity is becoming more importantin all aspects of our lives and work for a number of reasons.
- We live in an increasingly diverse society and needto be ableto respond appropriately and sensitivelytothis diversity. Learners inthe healthcare setting will reflectthis diversity around gender, race and ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality, class and age.
- Your organisation believesthatsuccessful implementation of equality and diversity in all aspects of work ensuresthatcolleagues, staff and students are valued, motivated andtreated fairly.
- We have an equality and human rights legal framework covering employmentpractices and service delivery and we needto ensure we work withinthis and avoid discrimination.
