Traces of equality policy and diversity management in Finnish work organizations

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how equality and diversity are experienced in everyday work within Finnish work organizations and how equality policy and diversity management participate in maintaining the inequality regimes of the organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical findings are based on 31 interviews, which were collected in two private sector work organizations. Inequality regimes, the interlocked practices, and processes that result in continuing inequalities in all work organizations, are used as an analytic tool.

Findings

There is an individualizing tendency of equality in Finnish work organizations, which is also the premise of diversity management. Accordingly, the organizations cannot address structural and historical discrimination based on gender, race, and class. Also, when diversity is intrinsic to the corporate image, the members of the organization downplay and legitimize inequalities in their organization.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes inequality regimes in a context that should be ideal for equality and diversity: Finland, where gender equality policies are relatively progressive, and organizations that strive for equality and diversity. This gives new insight on why inequalities are difficult to change.

Citation

Ylöstalo, H. (2016), "Traces of equality policy and diversity management in Finnish work organizations", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 35 No. 7/8, pp. 415-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-12-2015-0104