Introduction to a 6-Part Blog Series
I'm Sarai Cook, and I'm excited to bring you this blog series that's all about something we deal with every day: our jobs. But we're not just going to talk about work; we're diving deep into the real deal – the unseen, the unspoken, and sometimes the undervalued aspects of our work lives.
In this series, we're getting up close and personal with what it means to really show up at work. We're sharing stories of real folks like Marc, who's trying to make a difference while living paycheck to paycheck in a pricey city, and Josie, who's juggling family life with her professional aspirations.
We're here to unpack how our backgrounds, our ups and downs, and the life lessons we've picked up along the way shape our workdays. It's about recognizing the worth in every story and understanding that each of us brings something unique and valuable to the table – even if it's not always in plain sight.
We're not just throwing around the word 'equity' here; we're talking about what it really looks like, feels like, in the trenches of daily work. We're spotlighting the real stories, the struggles that don't always get seen, and the contributions that often go unnoticed.
This series is for anyone who's ever felt undervalued in their job, especially when your contributions don't quite fit the traditional mold. It's also for leaders, decision-makers, and anyone with the power to make a change.
Before we start, we need some common understanding about a few key definitions – 'Lived Experience', 'Equity', and how they differ from 'Equality'. It's crucial we understand these concepts as we explore the real impact they have in our workplaces.
What is “Lived Experience”? It's the personal knowledge and insights you gain through your own life – the kind of stuff that shapes who you are, both inside and outside the office.
What is Equity? It's about fairness, making sure everyone gets what they need to succeed, especially when the playing field isn't level for everyone.
"Equity" vs. "Equality" Equality is treating everyone the same, but equity? That's about giving folks what they specifically need to thrive.
Lived Experience, Equity, and Equality While equality respects lived experiences, equity takes it a step further, tailoring support to meet individual challenges head-on.
With this common understanding, let's get into these stories. Welcome to a journey where real work meets real people.