Equal Opportunities

Equality of Opportunity
From: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

The SEP is freely available to all U.K. higher and further educational institutions because of financial support from the JISC.

Background information
First published Tue 8 Oct, 2002.

According to SEP,
"Equality of opportunity is a political ideal that is opposed to caste hierarchy but not to hierarchy per se. The background assumption is that a society contains a hierarchy of more and less desirable, superior and inferior positions. Or there may be several such hierarchies. In a caste society, the assignment of individuals to places in the social hierarchy is fixed by birth. The child acquires the social status of his or her parents at least if their union is socially sanctioned. Social mobility may be possible in a caste society, but the process whereby one is admitted to a different level of the hierarchy is open only to some individuals depending on their initial ascriptive social status. In contrast, when equality of opportunity prevails, the assignment of individuals to places in the social hierarchy is determined by some form of competitive process, and all members of society are eligible to compete on equal terms. Different conceptions of equality of opportunity construe this idea of competing on equal terms variously...

Justifications of Equality of Opportunity
The ideal of a society in which people do not suffer disadvantage from discrimination on grounds of supposed race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation is widely upheld as desirable in itself. For many, the ideal is more compelling than any argument that might be offered to support it...."

Reference:
http://www.seop.leeds.ac.uk/entries/equal-opportunity/

Sample Equal opportunities policy
"..we are committed to providing a working environment in which everyone feels valued and respected and is able to pursue a rewarding career whilst contributing to the success of our business. We believe there are benefits in having a diverse workforce and aim to ensure that everyone can enjoy equal opportunities in an environment which is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation.

This policy follows directly from our Corporate Values:
• 'Integrity in All We Do'
• 'Value People'
• 'Deal Fairly'
and should be seen as a visible sign of our commitment to those values by customers, staff and shareholders.

Aims of this policy
We aim to provide equal opportunities for all without discrimination on the grounds of:
• race, ethnic origin, skin colour or nationality
• religious or political beliefs and affiliations
• sex or sexual orientation
• marital status
• age
• disability
• membership or non-membership of a trade union.

We aim to ensure that no-one in our business, or seeking employment with us, receives less favourable treatment on the above grounds or is disadvantaged by requirements or conditions which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
We respect the dignity of individuals and their beliefs.
We do not tolerate any racial, sexual, physical, mental harassment or bullying in the workplace, or at functions connected with the workplace.

We accept anyone's right to join a trade union or staff association and we will consult and negotiate with any such body that is formally recognised.

Responsibilities
Everyone has a strict obligation to:
• respect and act in accordance with this policy
• treat fellow staff members with respect and dignity
• ensure that their own behaviour does not cause offence or distress
• report any incident or behaviour which contravenes this policy and not indirectly support unfair treatment by ignoring what is happening around them.

Clear procedures exist which give a number of choices for pursuing complaints, both formally and informally.
In addition, those who manage staff are responsible for:
• ensuring that the policy is fairly and consistently applied in all areas under their control
• eliminating any unfair practices of which they are aware, whether or not a complaint has been made
• promoting an environment in which people feel comfortable in reporting incidents which are causing them concern
• reacting quickly to complaints, investigating them objectively and thoroughly and taking any required action promptly
• advising HR as soon as a formal complaint has been made.
Any behaviour which contravenes this policy will be viewed very seriously and may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal in appropriate cases.

Our commitment
We believe that this policy will help to create a happy workplace for everyone which in turn will help to maximise the effectiveness of our business for the benefit of our customers and shareholders.
For further information on this or other staff policies please contact Human Resources.

• CR contacts
This policy was reviewed in April 2006. The appropriateness and effectiveness of this policy statement will be reviewed again in April 2007.
Information correct as at 17 March 2006...."

Source: Internet research.

Comment:
- The above policy on Equal Opportunities is not the best, but represents a standard method of developing the policy.
- For your information, violation of this policy in an "equal opportunities" establishment is usually considered "a crime".
- There is usually a penalty for this breach, if proved to be committed.
- There is also a formal way of reporting this crime, depending on the institution.
- If you suffer from discrimination at work or in your community in general and you do not know what to do, consult a professitional or legal advice.
- Do not suffer ignorantly from "any racial, sexual, physical, mental harassment or bullying in the workplace, or at functions connected with the workplace."
- For more information, hit know your rights.

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