Episode 21 - Summer myth #3 Fairness isn't sameness

In this summer‑short, Claire tackles the myth that workplace accommodations are “special treatment” and flips the script from sameness to fairness. We dig into why the term reasonable adjustments needs a rebrand, what “workplace supports” really mean, and how tiny changes can unlock better work for everyone.

Your challenge this week: name one support that would make your work easier — even if you never ask for it. Awareness is a win.

Follow, share, and leave a review to help SEND IT: Brains at Work reach more listeners. And keep your eyes and ears open… something exciting is about to land.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:13

Hello and welcome to Send It Brains at Work. We are back with our summer series. I'm Claire. You'll hear Alfie in the background barking. My girls are watching Enchanted in the Kitchen, and you're just gonna um you're just gonna have to bear with us as we are getting through the summer holidays. So Steph and I are doing the podcast separately over the summer holidays. We're calling it our summer series. The aim is five-minute podcasts. Um so we're it's just our way of getting through the summer holidays, making sure we've got the podcast, giving us some sanity. Um but um yeah, it's one of the ways that we could work because between us we have about six children. Um and that feels like a lot to try and come together and record it. So for this particular episode, I am doing some uh myth busting and also dropping some tiny, tiny toolkits um along the way. And as you can hear, we've got a little bit of chaos in the background as well. Um so today's myth is one that pops up everywhere. Um, you might get them in HR conversations, in performance reviews. It's uh probably one of those ones where you get whispered side chats that really should stay inside people's heads, but sometimes they just can't help getting um coming out of their mouths. Accommodations are special treatments. So I really wanted to unpack that today. So you've seen it happen. Someone gets noise-cancelling headphones, a flexible deadline, written instructions, or permission to skip the 9am banter meeting, and suddenly the commentary starts. Isn't that unfair? Why do they get to do that? Shouldn't everyone be treated the same? Sameness feels tidy, sameness feels safe, sameness feels like the off office equivalent of those matching family Christmas pajamas. Adorable in theory, but let's face it, deeply impractical in reality. So the core truth is fairness isn't about giving everyone the same thing, fairness is about giving people what they need to do their best work. So sameness says everyone gets the same chair. Fairness says some people need lumber bar supports, some people might need a standing desk, and some might need to sit on a yoga ball because their spine is just a little bit of a diva. So sameness says everyone communicates the same way, whereas fairness says some people thrive in meetings, some need things written down, some need processing time, and some need to avoid slack because it feels like being chased by bees. Accommodations are special treatments, they're workplace infrastructures. Just like Wi-Fi, lighting or coffee, nobody says, Oh wow, you get a coffee, must be nice. We accept that because caffeine is a reasonable human need. Accommodations are the same, they help people work well, and when people work well, teams thrive. Uh, I just want to pop in reasonable adjustments. It is my pet hate. Um, it makes me cringe, I don't love it, I'm and I'm sure other people don't love it as well. It sounds like you're asking for some sort of structural modification to a Victorian building, not a simple change that helps you function. So, and if someone asks me if I want a reasonable, um a reasonable adjustment, I will instantly say, no, it's fine. Even when actually I probably need some sort of adjustment. I did it the other day. So I want to look at and champion a better phrase. I don't know, workplace support, or even simpler, what helps you work well? Perfect. It's human, it's normal, it's not loaded with legal jargon or shame. Because the truth is you're not asking for a special treatment, you're asking for the conditions you need to thrive, just like glasses, just like spell check, just like having a quiet room to think. So, as part of today's Mythbuster, I've got a tiny challenge for you. And tiny is the whole point. I want you to write down one workplace support that would make you work easier, even if you never ask for it. Naming it is a win. Awareness is power, clarity is the first step towards confidence. So, if you're you're enjoying our summer series, please follow, share, and leave a review. It genuinely helps us reach more people who need this kind of myth busting in their ears. And it's completely free for you to do. I also want you to keep your ears and eyes open. We've got something exciting landing very soon. I can't say anything yet, but trust me, you'll want to hear it when it drops. So until next time, send it to the microphone.

SPEAKER_01 6:11

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the hosts. We are not experts, specialists, or professionals, and nothing we discuss should be taken as advice. Our conversations are based around our own experiences, ideas, and perspectives. They are intended for general discussion and entertainment only. If you need guided, support, or advice, whether professional, personal, medical, legal, financial, or otherwise, please seek help from a qualified professional. By listening to this podcast, you understand and agree that the hosts are not responsible for any actions you choose to take based on what you hear.