Q2 What does equality mean?
A Equal numbers of men and women at each level of the organisation
B A level playing field – everyone has equal opportunity in career progression, for example, to apply for every job
C Providing equality in services so that they are equally open to all people
D Changing the culture of the organisation so that everyone accepts the benefits of equality and tries to practise it in everything they do
E Managing diversity
F All the above
A2 Equality can mean any of these things.
B) is the most basic definition. However, it ignores the fact that not everyone starts from the same point. For example, women who have had children may have less experience than men of the same age; people who have immigrated to this country might have English as a second language. This could mean that these people do not have such a good application form or perform so well at interview even though they are as able or more able to carry out the job. Some organisations have moved further, and are taking a wider view of equality, for example D) and E).
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