I have interviewed hundreds of staff over the years and at each interview the question is asked… what is equal opportunity? 90% will still answer “treating everyone the same.” But can equality be achieved by treating everyone the same?
Ponder for a minute and complete the following task:
• Look over your desk
• Look to your colleagues desk
• Compare the difference in stationary, tidiness, IT, photos, memory prompts, chocolate bars tissues and gadgets?
• Ask yourself are they different?
Each one of us typically has different needs and working patterns that enable us to be effective. Equality and diversity is not about treating everyone the same, rather it is about enabling people to achieve the same opportunities. Removing barriers to achievement and putting mechanisms in place to support individuals with specific needs is what equality of opportunity is all about.
