The importance of embracing equity is the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day. I believe this is key to unlocking better outcomes for both individuals and businesses in the months and years ahead.

We’ve been talking about diversity and inclusion for many years, but equity goes beyond this focus on representation.

While equality is about everyone getting the same resources regardless of their starting point, equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and may need different resources and opportunities to reach an equal outcome. Without equity, reaching equality is a more difficult challenge.

At Randstad, we're proud to embrace equity and hope we can play a role in opening up a broader dialogue around the issue. This will help businesses understand how they can build workplaces where all people can thrive, regardless of who they are.

the business benefits of equity

Talent scarcity is a major labor market trend that makes equity a business imperative. Without it, companies can miss out on huge pools of talent.

For example, it’s important for firms to assess whether the percentage of women who are seen as high performers with high potential correlates with the number of women in leadership positions. If not, they should reflect on the barriers that are preventing women from making progress.

In addition to opening up new talent pools, equity in the workplace can also lead to a more innovative, effective and productive workforce. When everyone feels like they belong and have equal opportunities, they can contribute their unique perspectives and ideas, leading to better outcomes and results for the organization. It isn't just the right thing to prioritize — it's also good for business.

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