Equality and Equity: Do you know the difference?

People often used the words "equality" and "equity" interchangeably, but they mean different things. They are complementary concepts, not synonyms, and a business needs to pursue and nurture both to create a truly inclusive environment.

"Equality" means each individual or group has the same resources or opportunities. It is “the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.”

"Equity" recognizes that people and groups face different circumstances, and allocates resources and opportunities to reach an equal outcome. It is “the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality” or “something that is fair and just.”

(via Marin County Health and Human Services)

Equity levels the playing field so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Organizations struggle the need to maintain equality -- a set of rules and expectations for all their employees -- against the need to address inequity-- when those rules and expectations unfairly disadvantage some employees. When that balance is achieved, workplaces are happier, more diverse, more creative, and more productive.

Human Rights Careers offers some examples of how this balance plays out in common workplace scenarios just as the recruiting or hiring process, the way businesses determine salaries and raises, or what is meant by "reasonable accommodations." For example, it is an example of equality to require all people working the same job get the same pay. But if all the higher paying jobs in the organization are held by white people, and all the people of color in the organization only have lower paying jobs, then that organization has a problem with inequity that needs to be addressed.

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