Equality and Diversity FAQs

What is Equality?

Equality is about 'creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential'. Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are not treated differently or less favourably based on race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. All efforts must be made in the workplace to treat people as equals.

What is Diversity?

Diversity literally means difference. When it is used as a contrast or addition to equality, it is about recognising the individual as well as group differences, treating people as individuals, and placing positive value on diversity in the community and in the workforce.

How can employers encourage growth through diversity in the workplace?

One way in which organisations have responded to the issue of diversity in recent years has been the development of flexibility in working practices and services. For example, an employer may allow an employee to work a flexible working pattern to accommodate child care arrangements, or a GP surgery may offer surgeries at the weekends to accommodate those who work full time during the week. These approaches recognise that in order to provide accessible services and to ensure we promote inclusive working environments organisations may need to respond differently to both individuals and to groups.