Equal Opportunities seeks to influence behaviour through legislation so that discrimination is prevented. It is based on moral and ethical arguments and is concerned with promoting the rights of all members in society.
What is Equal Opportunity?
Equal Opportunities focuses on securing the equality of groups, particularly minority groups. It seeks to alleviate the disadvantages that are experienced by them. Legislation is supported by practical procedures such as Positive Action to assist under-represented groups in a particular area of work, or in the workforce generally. Programmes can address such imbalance by ensuring that training opportunities and funded projects are opened up to the wider community and those groups who have been traditionally under represented.
What is Diversity?
In contrast to Equal Opportunities that focuses on groups, and potential discrimination within those groups, Diversity concentrates on the difference of individuals. Managing diversity is based on the economic and business case for recognising and valuing difference, rather than the moral case for treating people equally. Equal treatment offers benefits and advantages to employers if they invest in ensuring that everyone in the organisation is valued and given the opportunity to develop their potential.
By integrating Equal Opportunity into your programme structure and embracing Diversity at an organisational level you will add value to the work you do and meet community needs. You can demonstrate your commitment to equality in a number of ways including:
- An Equal Opportunities policy
- Policy statement
- Implementation
- Monitoring and evaluation
Date of last review: 19 September 2008