Diving into DEIB: Examples of Equity
Now that we’ve covered the basics of DEIB, let’s dive into one of its components: equity. Like diversity, inclusion, and belonging, equity has layers and nuances to it that are important to understand when you’re implementing your DEIB strategy. Without sufficient knowledge about the concept of equity and how it shows up in the workplace, leaders run the risk of creating insufficient programs that ultimately detract from the goal of creating a culture where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Defining Equity
First, a quick refresher on the definition of equity. Equity refers to being impartial and fair. This requires a deep understanding of your people and their experiences. In order to create programs based on equity, it’s important to investigate and interrogate historical barriers groups have faced based on characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability status, and more. Equity allows us to acknowledge that not everyone starts from the same place with the same privilege, and we can’t ignore that fact in life or in work.
Confronting systemic unfair treatment is difficult, but it’s necessary for us to do so for a better today and a brighter tomorrow. This complex and often sensitive work can bring up feelings of defensiveness or frustration, but we must remember that equity is not about taking things away from certain groups and giving them to others, it’s about creating a level playing field where advancement is attainable for each member of your organization. Ultimately, everyone benefits from equity because it inherently responds and supports individual needs and leads to a more inclusive culture, improved economic outcomes, and a stronger sense of community.
The Difference Between Equity and Equality
It’s easy to confound equity and equality, but there are essential distinctions between the two. We’ve already gone over that equity is about fair treatment and access regardless of personal circumstance. Equality means that we provide equal treatment for everyone regardless of their individual needs. The reason equity is a better approach is because it considers the individual, their background, and their specific case.
Below is an illustration that highlights the difference between equity and equality.
Examples of Equity in the Workplace
Equity in the workplace shows up in many different ways. Some are so small, you might not even notice them. And you might not even realize that you’ve been the beneficiary of equitable practices.
Below are some examples:
Inclusive healthcare policies for folks regardless of gender or sexual orientation. This includes transgender support services and same-sex partner healthcare coverage options.
Flexible work arrangements for caregivers, both those taking care of children and of parents. It includes paid parental leave for both parents and support with eldercare services, including in-home and assisted living care.
Skills based hiring instead of assessing educational or professional pedigree. Focusing on the transferable skill sets people acquire in non-traditional backgrounds helps to alleviate the disadvantage for those who could not pursue higher education due to discrimination or socioeconomic circumstances.
Accessibility accommodations including physical workplace design, assistive technology, and accessible communications. This includes elements like wheelchair ramps, providing closed captions, sign language interpreters, and screen readers.
These are just a few examples of equity in action in the workplace.
Moving Beyond Equity Toward Justice
There is one more layer to this discussion that should be considered as part of your equity efforts, and that is the concept of justice. Justice takes the work of equity further by repairing the systems that led to inequities in the first place so that future generations can have equitable access to opportunity on a sustainable, long-term basis.
This is change on a massive scale and represents a societal seismic shift. And while no one person or organization can create justice for all, we can all do our part by working towards equity in our companies and communities so justice can be achieved cumulatively and through our collective actions.
If you’re looking to improve your DEIB practices or just starting out, I’m here to help. Get in touch with me to see how I can support you on your DEIB journey.