In my career as an HR professional, one of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is that fairness doesn’t always mean treating everyone the same. Equity, not just equality, is the key to creating truly inclusive workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 

After working in the HR industry for years, I’ve seen firsthand how equity leads to better outcomes for individuals, teams, and organizations. It’s about meeting people where they are and giving them the support they need to thrive—because fair outcomes require more than just equal opportunities.

Understanding the Difference Between Equity and Equality

Equality is often held up as the gold standard of fairness. It means treating everyone the same, giving everyone the same resources, and holding everyone to the same expectations. On the surface, that sounds fair. But equality doesn’t account for the different challenges, barriers, and needs that people face. Equity, on the other hand, recognizes that people start from different places, and it’s about providing the resources, support, and adjustments needed to create a level playing field.

In my work, I’ve seen many organizations focus on equality without considering equity. They’ll implement blanket policies designed to be “fair” for everyone, but they don’t always work in practice. 

For example, a company might offer the same leadership development program to all employees, but that program might not be accessible to someone with a disability, or it might not take into account the different challenges faced by parents juggling work and childcare. That’s where equity comes in—adapting policies and providing individualized support so that everyone can succeed, no matter their circumstances.