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Month: December 2014

Diversity vs Equality

Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated fairly and equally with no less favourable treatment, specific to their needs, including areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age than any other employee receives. Diversity recognizes, respects and values peoples’ differences to contribute and understand their full potential by promoting an inclusive workplace atmosphere for employers and employees. It is essential that our culture respects and includes people from different backgrounds. An inclusive workplace would help organizations to create better products, spread new markets, and gain more resources which will strengthen the organization.

Workplace equality and workplace diversity are very different concepts. However, equality in the workplace is largely dependent on an acceptance of diversity in order for there to be equal treatment in the work environment.  An equality of opportunity means that qualified people have the same chances of landing a job, being promoted, and contributing ideas that are acted upon in the workplace. Workplace equality can be promoted by examining the hiring and promotion practices to ensure that minorities have as much opportunity as non-minorities. In addition, an organization should have strong policies that ensure employees treat each other fairly. Workplaces should have zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment, equal pay for equal work, and reasonable accommodations for their disabled employees.


Every employer and employee should be willing to accomplish their fair share of the work in workplaces. My previous employers have fairly worked with me to ensure that I was able to complete the assigned tasks while still maintaining an equal workload that was reasonably comparable to the workload assigned to other employees. Those experiences have taught me that communication is a very element that assists workplaces to be successful.  However, there still are some significant accessibility that could be better addressed which has caused less employment opportunities to be available to me in this American town. Progress has been made to raise awareness of workplaces issues, but certainly more effort could be made to further address the awareness of these vital issues globally within our workplaces.

This article was contributed by volunteer blogger Shan Simpson.

How to maintain Holiday Diversity in the Workplace

Now there’s something we don’t often take into consideration: diversity in the workplace during the holidays. Since a good majority of the population in Canada is Christian – or assumed to be – we often don’t think that something so small as saying “Merry Christmas” to our fellow workers might be offensive or make them feel uncomfortable. Here are a few ways to make everyone feel equal in the workplace during the holidays!

1) Keep it minimal when decorating the office. Remember, less is more. Minimal decor includes things such as Christmas lights, while keeping in mind to avoid any lettering, unless they read “Happy Holidays.” Feel free to string up those red and green or icicle lights! Ribbons and bows are acceptable as well. Santas, reindeer, Christmas trees, nativity scenes – definite no-no’s!

2) Avoid “Secret Santa.” Seriously. Unless you know for sure that everyone in your office is a devout Christian, then you run the risk of offending that guy who sits in the cubicle next to Joanne who may be, say, a Jehovah’s Witness (hint: they don’t celebrate any holiday, under any circumstances). Remember, Christmas is considered a Christian holiday, so think of all the other religious groups who don’t celebrate it. And while Santa isn’t mentioned in the Bible, the whole concept of receiving presents, putting up a Christmas tree, and so on, is considered to be for those of Christian faith. If you absolutely must give a few select people in the office a gift, do so discretely.

3) Giving your employees a Christmas bonus? Start calling it the “Holiday bonus.” Well, either that, or just not give them a bonus at all. However, if the entire office is putting in those extra hours just to get that bonus they’re expecting, then rewarding people with a “Holiday bonus” keeps everyone happy.

4) Change the way you greet your employees. It seems like nothing when wishing them a “Merry Christmas.” The easy solution – if you absolutely must, start wishing them a “Happy Holiday.” This applies to when you are sending out a group email at the office, or just speaking to someone face-to-face.

Your employees will take notice of you putting in the effort to make the workplace comfortable for everyone during this Christmas season. To avoid any unnecessary issues, don’t be afraid to encourage people to do the same!

This article was contributed by volunteer blogger Sara McKerracher.