Equality plans in the workplace
Equality means fairness. Based on our experience, a working environment where all
individuals are treated equitably increases employee motivation and commitment to work.
In an equal workplace community people feel better and the wellbeing of employees yields
better job performance and results.
An atmosphere of equality at work gives everybody the possibility to concentrate fully on their work.
Inequality, on the other hand, leads to a waste of energy and talent.
What is equality?
Equality means that women and men are valued equally.
It also means that there is no discrimination based on age, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability.
At work equality means equal pay for equal work, equal career development,
equal opportunities for reconciliation of work and private life,
and the absence of sexual harassment.
An equal working environment needs everyone's contribution
An equality plan is a tool for accomplishing equality in the workplace.
It is drawn up in cooperation between the employees and the employer.
Management awareness and commitment is critical to the successful and
appropriate advancement of equality.
In Finland companies and organisations that employ more than 30 people are
legally obliged to draw up an equality plan. The Finnish Equality Act,
which was amended on 1 June 2005, specifies in detail how equality planning should take place. Issues an equality plan must cover include an assessment of men's and women's pay and pay differences.
The amended Equality Act also reinforced the responsibilities of public authorities
to promote equality in public services. An essential element in this is gender mainstreaming,
which is a strategy for making women's and men's concerns and experiences an integral part
of the design, decision-making, implementation and evaluation of all policies and programmes.
The equality plan as a practical tool in the workplace
An equality plan is a tool for developing employee competence and creating equal
workplace practices. An equality plan works best when it is practical and concrete.
Knowledge and experience are essential when the aim is to develop a practical equality plan.
WoM consultants can provide process guidance and examples of best practices in
equality planning. Our approach is to tailor each equality plan to meet the needs
of the company or organisation, but the experiences of other organisations can and should
also be utilised in the process.
WoM consultants will work in cooperation with your employees to draw up your equality plan.
We will provide training in equality know-how, help you assess the current equality situation
and support your organisation or company at all stages in the development of a practical
equality plan. Please contact us for more information.
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