6 Equality and diversity
As a healthcare assistant, you will need to be aware of and understand issues of equality and diversity, and how negative attitudes such as stereotyping and discrimination lead people to perceive individuals or groups as being different. Discrimination can arise from both personal attitudes and behaviours, but also in the way services are organised and delivered. For example, a care plan that is only written in English in small font is an organisational arrangement that excludes those who cannot read, do not read English or have poor eyesight.
Equality and inclusion are basic human rights, and equality is about making sure that everyone is given equal opportunity according to their needs. This might mean giving information in different formats (for example Braille for a blind person) or making sure there is access to a building for an individual in a wheelchair. The consequences of discrimination, especially in older age, can be wide-ranging. Long-term discrimination can lead to poor physical and mental health provision, to inequity in access to services, and to low self-esteem and frustration.
Activity 2
Now you will watch a video which explains the definitions of equality, diversity, prejudice and discrimination – which can be direct or indirect – and makes the point that a fair society is an equal and diverse one.
When you have watched it, write down some examples of stereotyping and prejudice, and think of an alternative response. Think about how to avoid these behaviours occurring in your workplace. Consider your own attitudes and those of your colleagues, and the patients you are caring for. Have you overheard prejudiced statements? Have you challenged them?
Transcript: Equality, diversity, prejudice and discrimination
What is equality and diversity?
Equality and diversity – what does it mean?
Equality is ensuring individuals or groups are treated fairly in order to promote an equal society.
Everyone should have an equal opportunity regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.
Everyone should have an equal opportunity regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation.
Equality is not about being politically correct or telling people what they can and can’t say, it’s about treating others how you would want to be treated.
Diversity is about recognising individual as well as group differences and placing a positive value on diversity.
Diversity is about recognising individual as well as group differences and placing a positive value on diversity.
Diversity is everything that is different about everybody.
Different Individuals Valuing Each Other Regardless of Skin, Intellect, Talent or Years.
Diversity is any and all aspects of difference whether these are visible or invisible.
The aim of diversity is to enrich the organisational culture and the working environment.
Diversity is a set of conscious practices that is more than just acknowledging or tolerating difference.
Prejudice and discrimination:
Prejudice broadly describes negative feelings and attitudes people have about others that have no rational basis.
Discrimination generally describes actions people take on the basis of their prejudices.
Discrimination is illegal and can come in the form of Direct and Indirect.
Direct discrimination is when you treat someone less favourably than others because of their group, for example;
Refusing to employ someone solely because of their disability.
Indirect discrimination is when you put a rule or arrangement in place that apply to everyone, but put some people in an unfair disadvantage.
For example: specifying that employees must not wear anything on their heads – this may discriminate against someone with religious beliefs.
All this works towards building a society where no one Is held back because of who they are or where they come from.
And please remember a fair society is an equal and diverse one.
Comment
Were you able to think of some examples and responses? It may be that racism (for example) can be difficult to talk about in your team, and that you wouldn’t feel confident to challenge prejudice, but if staff feel unable to talk about stereotyping and prejudice, they will not be able to challenge it when it is directed against patients. The key to avoiding stereotyping and prejudice in the workplace is to have a flexible and open workplace culture. This openness and honesty will make it easier for care workers to share their concerns and find solutions to racist behaviour. Remember that one of the 6 C’s is courage, and be courageous in challenging or confrontational situations that you know are not right and that do not promote the wellbeing of all individuals, and always respect diversity by providing person-centred care.
Stereotyping and prejudice can lead to discrimination, which can result in inappropriate and poor-quality care, and should always be challenged.
5 Dealing with incidents, errors and near misses