‘REFLECTIVE ESSAY’
Table of Contents
RECOMMENDATIONS and CONCLUSION 8
INTRODUCTION
The concept of equality describes "the state of being equal " by an individual’s virtue of being born as a human. Equality entails offering the same opportunity to every individual irrespective of their age, nationality, or social status. The theme of diversity alludes to recognition and appreciation of the diversity in individuals. Likewise, inclusion considers an individual’s interaction within a collective group or society and the extent to which they experience a sense of belongingness or acceptance within the system. In the contemporary world, the theme of equality, diversity, and inclusion are inextricably interconnected. As the world embraces multiculturalism, the theme of equity, diversity, and inclusion is gaining prominence. Leading democracies including the United Kingdom have been championing the ideals of equality, diversity, and inclusion. The UK, through the Equality Act, 2010, has strived to eradicate unjust and discriminatory practices against individuals. Nonetheless, ‘equality for all” remains a utopian vision. The Freedom of Information derived statistics from Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service to examine the nationwide discrimination. The data revealed that the nation’s Employment tribunals witnessed a 48% increase in the claims of racial discrimination in 2020 (Gardner, 2018).
The study has enriched my knowledge of the underlying theme of Equity, inclusion, and diversity. Moreover, an examination of the contemporary issues of Equality and discrimination has facilitated my understanding of the topic. The contemporary challenges about equality and diversity in the United Kingdom have honed my understanding of current policies and practices in the nation. Further, undertaking the module on Equality, diversity, and inclusion has helped me understand the significance of fair, equitable, and inclusive practices to ensure that every citizen gains equal access to the basic resources and amenities. Likewise, the topic has improved my knowledge of the national initiatives and policies and my rights and responsibilities as a citizen. The report would examine the concept and theory of equality and its relevance to society. Likewise, the research would explore the experiences and showcase the importance of fair and equitable treatment at an individual, and societal level.
Main Body
In academic society, the theme of equality, inclusivity, and diversity has gained prominence. From a legal perspective, the concept of equality is defined as equal treatment of all before the law. The theory of equality could be assessed by drawing parallels with the social contract theory. Conceptualised by John Locke, the theory has been founded on the belief that a government's legitimacy is derived from the consent of its citizens. The consent is based on the tenet of equality. The theory of John Locke originates from the idea that natural equality is a state wherein all men are free, equal, and reasonable. He, therefore, regards the state of nature, as the situation where the men possess equal power and responsibilities, with equal advantages and facilities. He assumes that since an individual is free and equal in the natural state, the status quo would be maintained after the establishment of the government. Therefore, the individual would be assured equitable and fair treatment to survive into the evolved state (Sasan, 2021). Analysing the theory enriched my knowledge about the relevance of social equality for the progress of the global community. Over the years, equality and diversity have evolved at the economic, legal, political, and societal stages.
The subject of equality and diversity carries significance in my life. As a child, I have traveled across the nation. While I was visiting a rural area, I faced indirect discrimination owing to a difference in my accent and lifestyle. Moreover, whenever I attempted to mingle with local children, the parents displayed reluctance. This incident showcases the deeply rooted prejudices and biases pervasive in society. The abovementioned scenario highlights the contemporary barriers to inculcating an equitable and inclusive society. The significance of an equal, diverse and inclusive policy showcases the need for stringent equality and discriminatory framework in the nation.
In recent years, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity has become an integral aspect of the world. The need for equal, and inclusive policies has become more pronounced in face of growing cases of racism and inequality. Likewise, the underlying theme of equity and inclusion could be analysed through the social identity theory- us vs them. This theory explores the tendency of people to strongly identify with persons belonging to the same social category and alienate the group that displays different attributes, behavior, and cultures. Further, the analysis of the cultural theory has fostered my understanding of the core beliefs that drive humans to act in a certain way. I have analysed my personal experience studying this theory. The discrimination I faced while traveling to a rural area displays the deeply ingrained biases towards the ‘other’ prevalent in society. Likewise, it helped me to understand the fears and prejudices of the individuals.
Studying Gibbs Reflective Cycle has improved my understanding, opinions, and beliefs regarding this pertinent subject. The reflective cycle has improved my ability to interpret personal experiences and reflect upon my feelings. The model has allowed me to accurately identify and describe my feelings, evaluate and analyse the situation and develop a suitable action plan to prepare myself to positively handle a similar situation. For example, while visiting a rural place during my school vacation, I encountered unequal and discriminatory treatment. Outlining the experience has benefitted me to understand my feelings regarding the incident. Moreover, assessing my feelings has allowed me to be better prepared to deal with my emotions and behavior regarding the situation. The incident left a deep impact on me. I was upset and disappointed, however, this incident has improved my ability to handle the situation. The model has assisted me to understand my feelings about the situation. Further, the Gibbs reflective cycle would allow me to evaluate my approach towards the condition (Tanaka et al, 2018). Assessing the situation has helped me understand the underlying reasons for the unequal treatment and discrimination. Presently, this model would improve my understanding of building an equal and discriminatory policy.
Further, I have learned the significance of inclusive practice for the progress of the nations. Creating an inclusive environment could be achieved by understanding the levels of inclusion. In a developed nation such as the UK, when a particular group/ person is subjected to discrimination, it would result in dehumanization, thereby weakening the societal system. Hence, adopting diversity and inclusion would prevent these practices. Inclusivity at the workplace, education sector, and other areas would help the group to create a meaningful impact for the nation. Inclusivity could be achieved by creating a robust relationship at an emotional, physical, intellectual level. Achieving these connections would help the population to become more adaptable to the regional population. This further helps the minority groups or individuals to mingle with the larger community. Inclusive practices and policies decrease the instances of violence and hatred towards this group/person.
In my opinion, inclusion is not a simplistic concept. The individuals have varying emotional reactions to each incident which would cause a unique behavioral reaction to every situation. I believe that inclusivity as a process evolves at different stages. For instance, a transgendered person would have to face various reactions from the larger community ranging from acknowledgment, acceptance to belongingness. I have identified a multi-leveled inclusion process that describes the journey of an outcast to a member of society. For example, the first step would be Indifference towards the person/group. In this stage, the process would the local population apathy towards the entire group/persons. They would be ignoring the person or group. In the second level, the person would encounter tolerance. Therefore, a minority group or the individual would be tolerated by people at the workplace, and in society. In the third step, the society would express sympathy towards the person or individual. Fourthly, the people would showcase equality and affinity towards the person. Lastly, the person would experience a higher degree of inclusion, once they gain social justice. The concept of social justice believes that every person has an equal opportunity to healthcare, employment, well-being, justice, and the opportunities to each person irrespective of their economic, legal, political situations and cultural background. Social Justice, therefore is largely centered on human rights and improving the standard of living of disadvantaged and oppressed groups that have traditionally dealt with exclusion in society. In many countries including the UK, the disadvantaged population has been discriminated against based on their age, sex, wealth, ethnicity, heritage, religion, and social amongst other factors. Therefore, social justice as a concept strives to lower inequality by reallocating the resources to some of the underprivileged segments by offering appropriate education, employment opportunities, and other essential amenities to these people. Therefore, the concept of social justice is interlinked to upholding human rights. Human rights are essential to societies since they would help in upholding the legal, civil, economic, political, cultural, rights of individuals and governments, organizations. Moreover, in the UK, the national government and state government have launched various community programs, initiatives, and welfare schemes to maximize social justice (Romero, 2020). In the UK, the Equality Act 2010, has provided for equal opportunties in terms of quality education for all children. I witnessed the impact of social justice during my school days. Our school fostered a multicultural policy encouraging the participation of children from different economic, cultural, and social strata. This approach allowed me to develop diverse perspectives and become more receptive towards other individuals. It is therefore evident that the concept of equal access to education alludes to the welfare system as an integral aspect of democracy.
Moreover, the course module has enhanced my understanding of Equality, social justice, and inclusivity at the workplace. As an aspiring Human Resources personnel, studying the topic of equality, diversity, and inclusion has helped me to improve my knowledge. The Equality Act 2010, has facilitated me to understand the significance of the subject for inculcating an inclusive and safe workspace. Likewise, the UK government through the acts such as Diversity, equality, and the law, has strived to protect diversity in the organisational culture. To safeguard uniqueness and diversity, the UK government has provided specific characteristics or attributes that have been “Protected by law”. These attributes or traits that correspond to different types of diversity have been safeguarded by countries including the United Kingdom to prevent discriminatory practices in UK’s organisational culture. These characteristics are protected by the state to discourage the companies to select or recruit and reject the candidates while making crucial employment decisions in the daily business scenario. For instance, rejecting or terminating an employee merely because they belong to Asian or African ethnicity. In my opinion, it is imperative to thoroughly understand different forms of diversity in the modern-day business scenario. Identifying different attributes of diversity would facilitate the organisation in safeguarding these characteristics while framing a policy. Cultural diversity is connected to every individual’s ethnicity and refers to the cultural norms and practices and societal values that influence us. In the United Kingdom, the support for immigrants and promotion of a multicultural environment has assisted in developing an inclusive work culture in the companies. Similarly, it has become a common practice to adopt employees from different cultures in multinational organisations. This is closely related to religious diversity. The Equality Act 2010 has made it unlawful for the organisation/employer to discriminate against an employee because of their religion, practices, and belief, or absence of one. This form of diversity takes into account the existence of several religions and spiritual practices in the organisation. Moreover, the companies should support the age-diverse organisational culture. Promotion of age diversity in the office environment would ensure that the company is having a blend of young employees with a willingness and enthusiasm to learn from the senior and experienced professionals. Similarly, gender diversity refers to the equitable or just representation of candidates belonging to different genders within the company. According to a study by Mckinsey, in the UK, for example, gender equality in the work has not seen significant changes indicating a need for significant shifts in the existing gender diversity practices. Moreover, the study a relatively slow growth in gender balance by 2030. Further, the companies have to take into account the diversity corresponding to disability. In society, there are many types of disabilities, illnesses, and chronic conditions ranging from physical to mental health. Hence the UK government through the Equality Act has obligated the companies to create specific provisions for people with disabilities and illnesses for creating an inclusive working environment for this section of the society (Eze, 2019).
Likewise, as an HR professional the topic would improve my knowledge regarding an exclusive workspace environment. As a future Human resource professional, it has become significant to examine the trends of equality and inclusivity workplace practices. The UK government has mandated that companies pursue an inclusive organisational culture. Appropriate equality and inclusivity policy at the workplace would improve the existing and the new staff. Moreover, inculcating an equal and diverse workplace practice would create a creative, talented, and high-performing staff. It would also improve the equal treatment of the staff. The significance of equality and inclusivity in the UK has improved my knowledge of the topic. Moreover, my knowledge of the topic is improved because of studying the module. The reflective assessment would foster my understanding of the topic and its relevance in the modern workplace. Similarly, I believe equality, inclusivity, and diversity at the workplace have become increasingly important.
RECOMMENDATIONS and CONCLUSION
The reflective essay has outlined the relevance of equality, diversity, and social justice in the United Kingdom. To ensure equal access in society, it would be recommended to organise community programs that would foster awareness about equality and diversity. Moreover, it would improve the workplace. Further, ensuring transparency in terms of gender diversity, equality, and inclusion at the workplace would foster a multicultural organisastional environment. Further, it is advisable to inculcate gender-inclusive policy-making. The study has examined the concept of equality, inclusion, and diversity and their impact on the individual and societal levels. Further, analysing the theories of equality and diversity has enhanced my understanding of the continual evolution of human rights, equality, and social justice in modern-day society. Likewise, interpreting my personal experiences through Gibbs's reflective cycle assisted me to prepare for similar circumstances. Lastly, the report has helped me to assess the significance of values, ethics, and society in the contemporary world.
REFERENCES
Atkinson, H., Bardgett, S., Budd, A., Finn, M., Kissane, C., Qureshi, S., Saha, J., Siblon, J. and Sivasundaram, S., 2018. Race, ethnicity & equality in UK history: A report and resource for change.
Eze, M.C., 2019. International Human Rights Regime as an Instrument for Advancing National Interests:: The US and Others in the 21st century. Society & Sustainability, 1(1), pp.46-66.
Gardner, J., 2018. Equality for the few:: A critical analysis of the Equality Act 2010 (UK) from the perspective of gender equality in the workplace.
Romero, M., 2020. Sociology engaged in social justice. American Sociological Review, 85(1), pp.1-30.
Sasan, J.M.V., 2021. The Social Contract Theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke: Comparative Analysis.
Tanaka, M., Okamoto, R. and Koide, K., 2018. Relationship between Reflective Practice Skills and Volume of Writing in a Reflective Journal. Health, 10(3), pp.283-288.
