Will there ever be equity in the workplace?

It's clear we live in a world far from equity. From disparities, marginalisation, microaggressions, unconscious bias and people with privilege who believe they have an elite status - it all leads to exclusion.

The statement most businesses like to make is 'we do not have a problem with equity or our workforce is very diverse.' This seems to be true for entry-level roles, but as you dig deeper into management, leadership and the promotional structure, you quickly realise the fairness is in a shadow.

This idea that organisations are not impacted by society is just not true. Companies reside within communities — and prejudice is evident, individually and systematically. Employees do not leave society at the door. 'Society' is in the office. We do not have clear lines between our work self and personal self. There is a blur and if people turn up to work authentically, there is little difference between the two personas.

As I think about all the things I strive to change, the ways in which I can impact the workplace, society and drive meaningful outcomes for the next generation, I look at the barriers, the people and issues that stop progress. Here's my take on the broken system we live in and what we all must do:

1) Race as a Right

I've shared in my posts 'Are you an observer or an ally?' and '2020 the year the world woke up' that we are not born equal. Race isn't a card people use as they feel injustice, it's the very reason there is injustice. We are human, programmed to believe in bias, have historical connections to emotions we feel, and can even be due to inherited experiences known as transgenerational trauma. Representation matters. If your board, team or employees in the business all look similar - then there is a fundamental issue, there is bias (whether unconscious or not) in the hiring process, your company culture doesn't attract diverse talent and ultimately race equity needs to be addressed.

2) Silent Allies vs Active Allies

In my article - '3 ways to be an active ally' I shared how we each need to act in the moment of injustice. Saying you're an ally is not merely enough and too many people pretend to support those marginalised but often to satisfy their own ego or needs to be seen as doing the right thing. Being a proactive ally takes grit and you must be vocal when others have no voice.

3) Breaking Female Barriers

The truth remains certain societal and cultural views have not progressed through age. I come from a culture where women are not expected to succeed in the workplace, their 'duties' are at home domestically and for raising families. Doing business, making a good living and having opinions that question cultural norms go against the grain. I also believe as a working mother, this shouldn't limit my ability to progress - taking on all that parenthood throws at you, only makes you more patient, resilient and focussed.

Lifting the lid on how we tackle Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, is not the role of a few - but everyone. It's something we all should care deeply about, understand and want to help for not just a better workplace, but for allowing those unheard to be represented, ensuring those who have paved progress are recognised and fundamentally creating equity to allow everyone to be born equal.

Sources: https://hbr.org/2021/06/the-myths-that-undermine-racial-equity-at-work