My HR career has spanned 40 years so I’ve seen many changes. I remember a time when not everyone was given the same opportunity in terms of being hiring or, if hired, promoted. Most commonly this denial of equal opportunity in the work place applied mainly to minorities & women, but it sometimes also applied to some nationalities or religions.
Throughout my career I’ve consistently advocated for equality. I often made the case for equality by pointing out how unfair & unwise (translate as “stupid”) to exclude individuals from any group.
- For example, excluding or treating differently the 10% of the population who are lefties or the 9% with green eyes.
- After I worked my way up in the corporate world to the executive level (despite being both left-handed & green eyed 😎), I ensured equality prevailed — not because the law requires it, but because it was & still is the RIGHT thing to do.
My concern is that today the principle of EQUALITY is being replaced with that of EQUITY. Let’s not be so naive as to believe that equality & equity are the same–they are not. Stated in the most simplistic way, EQUALITY is about for all to have equal OPPORTUNITY without regard to anything other than merit. On the other hand, EQUITY is about having equal OUTCOMES, regardless of differences in the preparation, effort, attributes & ability of individuals.
- The former recognizes that preparation, a strong work ethic, skills & abilities lead to successful performance & in turn to the fruits thereof, including career advancement.
- The latter seeks to have the high performing individual & the one who is not as capable BOTH TO HAVE THE SAME OUTCOME. This means both are to be recipients of the same fruits in the same amount regardless of relevant factors.
From my perspective, I strongly belief that inequality was & always will be unfair & an unwise, flawed business practice, but so is the agenda of those whose objective goes beyond equality to equity. As HR professionals &/or others who are in a position to impact the workplace of the present & of the future, let’s advocate for EQUALITY, NOT EQUITY.
Author: Salvatore LoDico, SHRM
The HR Godfather™
CEO, Trinity HR Consulting, Inc
Senior Partner, Search Associates (Executive Search)