The term Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) may be common knowledge, but it’s not commonly understood. Relating it to a real-life situation always helps to clarify what something means.  

• You want everyone at your party to be treated the same way. That’s equal. 
• You let everyone at your party help out: with setting up, DJing, or serving snacks. That’s employment.
• You want everyone to have the chance to dance (even if you have to change the genre). That’s opportunity. 

EEO is easier to talk about and write about than to achieve. For some reason, we often struggle to understand and tolerate those that are different from ourselves. As humans, if we cannot resolve the presence of differences and inequalities, we can expect the workplace to struggle in the process, as well.

Does the order of letters really matter?  

Workplaces have gotten better with strategic planning around equal opportunity, but what about inclusion and fairness in day-to-day culture? We focus on the policies of EEO, but we should really be thinking about inclusion and fairness in the work environment. People want to stay in the type of work environment that is fair and welcoming. Here are some simple steps to build an inclusive culture by keeping it REAL and always LEADing the way: 

Let’s all keep it REAL:  

R – Reveal pathways and opportunities for everyone

E – Elevate fair treatment in every space

A – Activate equal access and participation

L – Lead with intention to create opportunity

AND

Always LEAD:

L – Learn about barriers that hold people back

E – Empathize with others and their experiences

A – Be an Ally who speaks up and steps up

D – Develop a plan to create lasting, positive change

Each of us can make a difference when it comes to EEO. Making others feel a sense of belonging no matter their ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, gender identity, or any other factors that can play into unconscious bias. 

Learn more about how you can contribute to creating an even playing field, inclusive environment, and make a positive impact in the world of Equal Employment Opportunity: https://www.goodwinrecruiting.com/our-core-values-opportunity-for-all