What’s in a name?

The word ‘diversity’ simply means difference.  In the context of workforce management and in service industries like policing, ‘diversity’ is usually taken to refer to the differences between people, and the ways in which some people may be treated more or less favourably than others.

Before ‘diversity’ there were concepts like ‘race relations’, ‘equal opportunities’ and ‘human rights’, all of which have more specific meanings yet all of which are linked in some way to the fact that humans differ from each other in a great many ways.

Issues with diversity include that it is a huge field of study.  We all encounter and accommodate human difference on a daily basis.  Yet some people find it intimidating or overwhelming.  Others focus upon negative features, like the kinds of behaviour that are prohibited by regulation, codes of conduct and legislation.  As a result, for some people, the word has gained a number of negative connotations.

We have used the terms ‘fairness’ and ‘inclusion’ as a title for these internet pages, because they are words with positive meanings.  They both may be considered goals that we can all agree are desirable and deserving of our best, continuing efforts to achieve.

The material placed on these pages, it is hoped, will be of use to visitors who seek greater fairness and inclusion in the workplace and in the services that we provide to the people of South Yorkshire.