Reflective Essay on Equality and Diversity: Discrimination by Perception

This reflective essay discusses discrimination by perception in the context of equality and diversity. It uses Gibbs Reflective model to describe personal experiences and highlights the importance of understanding laws such as the Equality Act. The essay also explores intersectionality, institutional theory of diversity management, Kanter's theory of structural empowerment, and international discrimination theory.

Reflective essay

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Reflective essay
Equality and diversity, discrimination by perception
I picked this topic because it reflects very important values at my workplace, we are
focused on making sure that individuals, colleagues, and everyone is treated equally and we
recognize that every person is unique and diverse, we are not the same, together we contribute
with our skills, qualities, opinions to form a great team, valuing the differences between people.
Equality means having equal opportunities to make the most of our life, nobody should have
poorer life chances because of where they were born, or who they are. (understanding Equality,
2018) accessed 09/05/22
Reflective learning can be understood as critical analysis of getting involved in past experiences
in order to gain relevant knowledge as well as planning for future. Through this, learners can
enhance their skills and competencies in a strategic manner which led them to critically evaluate
their past experiences.
Diversity means that we are all different, by our culture, religion, political views, sexual
orientation. we are unique, we decide what to wear, make our own choices. It means recognising,
respecting, and valuing differences, based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, and
sexual orientation (Vic.gov.au 2109)
By focusing on equality, we assure that we give every person we support, colleague,
equal opportunities to develop, and to succeed, therefore protecting everyone against any form of
discrimination.
Reading and listening to stories shared by people who experienced discrimination, or
stigmatisation, helped me to better understand how it affects those involved and to know how
imperative is to act against it. Using Gibbs Reflective model, I will next describe some situations
in my life, that made me think deeper and reflect on these issues. Gibb's reflective model is a
strategic framework which is concerned with self-reflection as well as help people to critically
analyse their past experiences which led them to draw conclusion and learn from their deferred
mistakes. It helps learners in gaining more balanced as well as accurate judgement which led to
plan in an accurate manner. Reflective journal are considered as important as it led learners to
enhance their performance based on their past experiences in order to build a better future. It
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works through several phases which provides questions to differential answers at each stage in a
strategic manner. It is also known as structured debriefing which essentially supports experiential
learning in a rational manner.
Discussion
When I was younger, I remember I had a friend, whose family was gypsy by origins, she
used to face so many difficulties when trying to find a job, as her name was originally gypsy.
After facing so much struggle, and the lack of job opportunities, she decided will move to a
different country, where now she found a good job, well paid and based on her studies and skills.
She remembers even now the discrimination she faced in her own country, where she was not
accepted as a woman with potential, due to her name.
Looking at the Intersectional approach, geographic location, skin colour, class background,
family status, are interacting and overlapping with racism, discrimination, and ethnocentrism.
The education system and legal system were not functioning as they should have to
protect everyone against any form of discrimination, this led people with different backgrounds
to be excluded from having equal opportunities, to succeed and improve. ( Equality Act 2010).
Everyone comes with their own abilities and skills, bringing value to the team, sharing is
good for everyone, working together, increasing performance,
My case was similar to the above example, and I reflected on it using Gibbs’s reflective
model. Not being offered a flexible working schedule as a single mum struggling, in my country.
I asked the manager to be given part-time at the company I was working for, but they refused,
saying this is the only program they could offer regardless of the situation, I felt not understood,
disoriented,
I used to feel discriminated, against based on marital status, and not offered the support needed
from the company, I felt alone and even though a few friends were there to morally support me, I
knew there was nothing more they could have done.
I could say the good thing about the situation was that it made me think deeper, and
critically, and I realised it was time for me to make a change, the hours I requested were not
offered, so I had to sign my resignation.
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My former employer refused my request #, considering that part-time work is too disruptive for
the business; he explained that due to the nature of the work and the geographical placement of
the factory the policy was to use only full-time employees. In this case, the discrimination was
not a direct one, as this policy at that time applied to men and women.
However, it is potentially indirect sex discrimination. The rule places a woman at a
disadvantage because she will not be able to continue working for a certain employer if full-time
work is the only option. Statistically, the rule also places women at a particular disadvantage,
because more working women than men have childcare responsibilities, as explained by
Working families UK The employer's comments about disruption to the business are an attempt
to justify the rule, but any justification argument must be based on reality and not an assumption,
and employers must find the least discriminatory ways of maintaining business efficiency.
Things were not going well, as I was forced to leave my job, and tried to find ways to leave my
country, to provide for my children, the sense I can make from the situation is that we, as
managers, need to take into consideration our employees situation, to avoid any form of
discrimination, in this case by perception, ( s THEORY///// to help understand the situation)
This made me feel excluded, and my human rights were not being taken into consideration, for a
long period of time I felt disempowered and stigmatised due to being a single mum, inferior to
other co-workers, which have families, and my request not being adjusted as my needs. I felt my
workplace was not offering me enough support, or adjustments, for me to succeed, and to feel
like a part of my team. I felt like I was not good enough, worth enough to continue to work there,
I started to reflect, to try and find reasons for what this is happening, and soon enough I realised,
this was a problem in more workplaces in my country, the Government was not helping,
supporting, families with one parent, not financially, nor socially.
I asked for help from some friends, and with some struggle, I managed to move to the UK IN
2014, looked for jobs, and I got a part-time job, and my children started school. It was the
beginning of a new life for me, I started to feel listened to, care about, and important to others,
especially at my workplace I was offered great support.
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As explained by Peninsula UK group limited, discrimination by perception is when the
employees are treated differently, with prejudice, and in this situation, because I was a single
parent.
As a working mother in my country, I felt discriminated, against, and pushed aside,
disadvantaged.
In conclusion, this situation made me feel uncomfortable, change jobs, and eventually, leave the
country, when the opportunity arose. Looking back at that moment, I understand it was a good
thing to happen, for me to develop, grow as a person, learn from past experiences, and work hard
to improve myself. My friends also had a big impact, by supporting and advising me, I begin to
feel empowered again, worthy, and valuable at my job, all these contributed to my decision to
study for Level 3 in Adult Care in 2019/2020, and one year later I had the courage and ambition
to enrol at the University. All these factors are contributing to my personal and career
development.
The geographic location, my family status, life experience, social status, and discrimination, in
this case, are interconnected and influenced the events I was going through.
I am using equality act in regards with describing my situation as workplace and how I
face discrimination all my life due to working conditions and lack of flexible environment.
However, I do not have thorough knowledge regarding the equality act in UK which protect the
varied rights of personnel and help them to secure their position at workplace as well as society.
Its basic purpose is to provide a protection regarding discrimination, harassment as well as
victimization at workplace and at other places (Watts, 2021). It also provides protection to
female employees who breastfeed their children. It also works on introduction of new and
advanced powers in regards with tribunal for providing better benefits to massive workforce
(Cropley, Miles and Knowles, 2018). It led to mitigate the discriminated practices as well as
provide equality opportunities in a strategic manner. Under this act, a statutory is body is also
formulated which has named as Equality and Human Rights Commission in order to reduce
inequality as well as mitigate the eliminated practices in an effective manner. It is imperative for
everyone irrespective of their gender, caste and creed to raise their voice against the
discriminated practices in a strategic manner which led to empower their identities. I was not
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aware of the this equality act before at workplace as it can aid me in protecting my rights in a
strategic manner. Understanding of these laws are considered as essential for me to raise my
voice in relevance with avoiding with discriminated practices. I was not supported by
government through any means either finically and socially.
Intersectional approach is considered as significant for conceptualising a person or a
social problem which is affected by discriminations as well as disadvantages (Ellis, 2020). It
essentially considers overlapping identities as well as experiences for understanding the
sophisticated prejudices they face. In a nutshell, it asserts that people are often made felt
disadvantaged on a constant manner due to their race, class, sexual orientation and many more.
It is considered as significant at the workplace whereby woman often suppresses due to
their sexual orientation through their bosses (Warkentin, 2017). I have also come in contact with
this type of discrimination as a single mother at my workplace. I was not provided with flexible
working conditions as I have to take care of my children. It is imperative for people especially
women to understand any discriminated practices they are facing and raise their voice against
that. Intersectionality delves into identify multiple forces which led to both empowering as well
as oppression. It also broadens through first and second waves of feminism in a strategic manner
which largely concentrates on the experiences of women by acknowledging their identities as
well as experiences.
Institutional theory of diversity management recognises that organisational structure
which can not be separated from social environment within a workplace (Fondahn and Et. Al.,
2021). It is imperative for organisational managers as well as employees to understand that there
is a limiting factor like legislations, regulations and laws are needed to be make compliance with.
It is the laws which compels the organisations to become diverse in order to avoid expensive
litigation practices. As per this theory, discrimination is not possessed at the organisation, I was
working among men and women regarding flexible working hours. However, it can be
discriminated practice as a single mother, I have numerous responsibilities regarding my
children. At the same time, I have to earn and cater the needs of my children in an effective
manner. It is imperative for organisational management to adopt diversity in their operations
which led their employees to engage in differential task in an effective manner. It is imperative
for me work in an organisations which promotes diversity and inclusion in organisation.
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Kanter's theory is considered as structural empowerment which essentially encompasses
of discussion in relation to organisational behaviour as well as empowerment. As per this theory,
empowerment can be promoted at workplace which provide employees an access of resources,
data as well as opportunities to develop and learn in an effective manner. It majorly accelerate
the factors at workplace which essentially relates with feeling of competence, autonomy as well
as meaningfulness of job (Gould and Taylor, 2017). It has been analysed that personnel who are
provided with the feeling of empowerment are most likely to perform in an effective manner. By
providing empowerment to the personnel, establishments can engage them in their task in an
exponential manner as well as respond to them with a sense of integrity and mutual respect. This
theory guides four major principles which encompasses of equity, ownership, partnership and
accountability in a strategic manner. As per Kanter, power of leaders can be grown when they
provides autonomy to their employees in a strategic manner. Empowerment motivates the
employees in such a way that they take responsibilities as well as autonomy for attaining
organisational objectives in a strategic manner. It can be occurred when environment of
workplace can be organised in such a way which provides employees surroundings to perform
their jobs in a free and fast manner.
When I left the job and moved to UK, I started to work in a new organisations whereby I
felt empowered as I was supported by the company officials as well as my friends in gaining
empowerment. I was get supported by my peers which let me to felt like a sense of
belongingness at workplace. I was feeling so satisfied at my job as they provide me flexible
working conditions which aid me in fulfilling my responsibilities in an effective manner. Feeling
of being empowered provides me an immense confidence through which I have enrolled myself
in university again for completing my studies. Due to empowerment practices, I felt very
confident and motivated which helps me to gain insights regarding my own identity which led
me to prove myself in a strategic manner. This changes occurred in me due to change of job and
working conditions I have got at my workplace which led me to become successful as an
employee and as a single mother.
A discrimination theory which is concerned with disparate treatment which is termed as
international discriminated practices (Hedberg, 2017). It is concerned when people are treated
deliberately in respect to protected class. These class can be understood as group of people which
are protected from discrimination through law. For example, an employer compel all female
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candidates to give a test and not given to men. Whereas disparate impact is an unintentional
manner of discriminating the employees at workplace. This type of discrimination can be seen in
mine reflective case whereby no one at my previous workplace has been provided with flexible
working hours either men or women. It is a discrimination for me as I am a single mother and
want to do the job on part-time basis but I was not allowed to do so which has curb me to fulfil
my responsibilities. I also have faced discrimination due to my status of single mother. I have
been seen as a person who is not responsible and trustworthy. This perception is made on me just
because I am a single mother. I do not provided with similar working conditions as my male
peers. I was taken as an inferior employee due to my martial status. This situation has broken my
confidence and has not led me to attain personal interests as well as organisational objectives. I
was get demotivated all the times because of this discriminated practices I was facing at the
workplace. It is imperative for me to raise my voice due to this discriminated practices whereby I
have not given an equal position at my workplace and was not allowed to work through flexible
hours.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals:
Cropley, B., Miles, A. and Knowles, Z., 2018. Making reflective practice beneficial.
In Professional advances in sports coaching (pp. 397-414). Routledge.
Ellis, G., 2020. Reflective learning and supervision. In Fieldwork in the Human Services (pp.
227-238). Routledge.
Fondahn, E. and Et. Al., 2021. Assessing for Practice-Based Learning and Improvement:
Distinguishing Evidence-Based Practice From Reflective Learning. Journal of graduate
medical education. 13(2s). pp.86-90.
Gould, N. and Taylor, I., 2017. Reflective learning for social work: research, theory and
practice. Routledge.
Hedberg, P. R., 2017. Guiding moral behavior through a reflective learning practice. Journal of
Management Education. 41(4). pp.514-538.
Warkentin, B., 2017. Teaching social work with groups: Integrating didactic, experiential and
reflective learning. Social work with groups. 40(3). pp.233-243.
Watts, M., 2021. Reflective learning. Emerging Conversations in Coaching and Coaching
Psychology.
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