Many people think diversity is just a new funky name for equal opportunities. But they’re two quite different things. Equal opportunities is about treating people the same. Diversity is about producing better results by harnessing the differences in people.
Here’s a definition
‘Diversity is …the concept that people should be valued as individuals for reasons related to business interests, as well as for moral and social reasons. It recognises that people from different backgrounds can bring fresh ideas and perceptions which can make the way work is done more efficient and products and services better.’
And here’s a comparison
Equal opportunities |
Diversity |
Externally driven and reactive to legal requirements. Seen as a cost. |
Internally driven and proactive. Rests on business case. Seen as an investment. |
Differences to be neutralised. |
Differences to be respected. |
Concerned with operational process. |
Concerned with strategic outcomes. |
Focus is on group discrimination. |
Focus is on development for all individuals. |
HR's responsibility. |
Everyone's responsibility. |
|
Although there are differences, equality and diversity are complementary and need to work together. There is no equality of opportunity if difference is not recognised and valued.
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