How do you answer equal opportunies questions at interviews?

Question

I am woking in adult mental health - carers support - I always go blank when asked 'What do you understand by equal opportunities.

Answer 1

Get hold of the Policy where your applying for. That will give you a good idea. I would say something along the following:

"I believe that we all have our own different opinions, beliefs and lifestyle choices and to discriminate against someone for that is fundamentally wrong regardless of age, sexual orientation, religious or cultural beliefs."

Good luck

Answer 2

Firstly - I shall be cynical. They are probably asking the question because they are legally obliged to do so, therefore if you just give them the quick definition of the equal opportunities act as many people have told you then you will be fine.

Secondly we go to ethics - you do need to practice equal opportunities to the best of your ability and to understand why the legislation is there.

Many people have suffered from ignorance and prejudice for things they have no control over. These things include race, religion, mental illness/impairment, age, sexual orientation. physical disability

The act was put into place to attempt to give everyone an equal playing field.

You need to believe that all people deserve an equal chance. I don't agree that it's contradictory, as the chances need to be weighted according to ability to give an equal chance. For instance, if person A can write 100 words in 20 minutes and person B takes an hour then you give A 20 minutes for 100 words and B an hour.

Basically in your position it means don't go in with preconceived ideas of what your clients are capable of. Understand their difficulties and learn to work with what someone can do rather than what they cannot.

I guess it can be covered by the old adage "Don't judge a book by its cover".

Answer 3

I've done a Social care degree (just finished). This question is difficult to answer because you have to be contradictory in your answer.

OK so you think every one should be treated equally right? Well yes to a certain extent, but if everyone was treated equally, minority groups such as people with mental health problems would be excluded. Their personal circumstances would not allow them to be equal.

For example in education a timed exam where everyone is treated equally, even the dyslexic students and the physically impaired students having the same amount of time as all of the other students. This isn't fair so we have to give people with special circumstances the 'opportunity' to be as equally beneficial to society as everyone else.

This is best summed up in the well used phrase "Treat everyone equally, but not the same"

You shouldn't pretend that someone doesn't have an impairment. (some times it is not their inability, more that society isn't geared up to accommodate, or recognise their worth.)

This is just a snip-it of information on equal opportunities. I strongly suggest that you learn about this. I personally do not think it is right that people without this knowledge should help and advise vulnerable people. Lets face it, its easy enough to make mistakes, even when you do know all of the right procedures!

Answer 4

Equal Opportunities to me means no discrimination in any way shape or form. No matter age, race, culture, disability, sexual oriantation and everyone should be given the chance to do what ever just like everyone else.
In your job that all the clients are treated the same and that they are encouraged, supported, helped to acheive their maxium potential. If they want to do something then they should be given the chance just like anyone else.
They should have policies about this hanging up or in a folder for you to read and if run well they should have made sure that everyone not only read it but also signed to say they have that works there.
It is a loaded question and for many means different things equality to all.

Answer 5

Equal Opportunities means that nobody should be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, disability or religion.

Answer 6

Say, you are pro and that u believe all people should have the same opportunities no matter what race, age, size, etc. they are.

Answer 7

http://www.workplacefairness.org/
http://www.monster.com

These two sites can help. There are answers to all interview Qs on Monster. Workplace Fairness lets you know your rights in an interview.