Equality or equity: what to choose?

I always believed everyone should be treated equally in an organization or country. Then, I came across the buzzword of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Diversity refers to the variety of people who make up an organization. This includes differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and other factors.

Equity refers to the fair distribution of resources and opportunities. This means everyone has the same chance to succeed, regardless of background or circumstances.

Inclusion refers to the sense of belonging people feel when they are part of a group. This means that everyone feels valued and respected, and their contributions are appreciated.

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I understand what diversity and inclusion mean, but I always wondered about the differences between equality and equity. After some research, I could summarize that both equality and equity are important in corporate life, but depending on the situation, one may be more appropriate than the other.

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Let’s see when equality is required and makes sense.

1. In the workplace of great organizations, all the policies remain the same, from the housekeeping staff to the CEO. No special treatment is given to anyone in cases of unethical practices, compromising integrity, and sexual harassment. A recent example of TCS banning six employees and six business associate companies for violating ethical conduct is an exemplary action of equality. The action comes following whistleblower allegations around a recruitment scandal. In the case of unethical practices, favouring senior management and not acting can create havoc in the organization's culture.

2. In a democratic country, all citizens have the same voting rights without prejudice or favouritism. This is an example of equality since everyone has an equal say in the political process. In the case of allocating weight to the votes based on a person’s qualification or age can create assessment problems and lead to corruption.

3. In a court of law, all defendants are given equal protection under the law regardless of their social status or wealth. This is an example of equality since everyone is judged by the same legal standards irrespective of their personal circumstances. Law favouring wealthy individuals creates problems in society.

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?Now let’s see when equality can lead to problems and equity is required.

1. A sales team is given the same goal to achieve, but one team member has a smaller territory to work with than the others. Equality would mean expecting the same results from both team members, while equity would mean recognizing each employee's different challenges and adjusting the goals accordingly.

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2. Equality would mean giving everyone an equal say in all organizational decisions regardless of whether they have expertise in the area or not. Equity would mean allowing those with relevant knowledge and experience to make decisions.

3. Equality would mean everyone getting the same salary regardless of their role or contribution to the company. On the other hand, equity would mean different salaries based on the responsibilities and performance of employees.

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4. Equality would mean promoting everyone at the same time, regardless of whether they deserve it or not. Equity would mean promoting employees based on their skills, experience and achievements.

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5. Equality would mean providing the same opportunities to all employees regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Equity would mean providing additional support and resources to those needing them to overcome barriers, such as employees with disabilities.

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6. Imagine a company offering a training session to all employees, but the training is only offered in English. Equality would mean that every employee is expected to attend the training and understand it regardless of their fluency in English. Equity means recognizing that not all employees have the same needs and offering translation or training in multiple languages for those who need it.

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7. A company offers a hybrid work environment, but employees with children are unable to take advantage of it as they have to pick up their children from school. Equality would mean expecting those employees to find their own solutions, while equity means recognizing the challenge they face and offering additional support such as on-site daycare or adjusted work hours.

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I hope if you also had confusion between equality and equity, these examples would have clarified your confusion.