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Diversity and Inclusion

Oct 25
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Microaggression at Work: The Silent Workplace Culture Killer

By Diversity and Inclusion

In today’s workplace, it’s important to foster an inclusive and respectful environment as defined in Canada’s employment framework. Yet, many people may unknowingly engage in behaviors that undermine this goal. Small and subtle comments or gestures that convey dismissive or derogatory messages often slip under the radar. However, they can have a profound impact on employee morale, trust, and overall company culture. Psychologists often compare them to death by a thousand cuts!

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether a seemingly innocent remark might have unintentionally hurt someone, you’re not alone. Recognizing and addressing these issues can lead to a more supportive workplace for everyone!

This article aims to unpack the concept of microaggression at work, explore the different forms, and offer practical insights for employers and employees alike.

What is Microaggression?

Picture this: during a team meeting, someone says to a colleague, “You speak such good English.” It sounds like a compliment, right? But to your colleague, it could imply that because of their background, they’re not expected to speak well. This is an example of a microaggression.

Microaggressions are everyday comments or actions that, intentionally or not, target someone based on race, gender, or other identity traits, often based on common myths or misconceptions. While they may seem small, their impact is significant. Often, these behaviors stem from unconscious bias—preconceived notions we act on without realizing. Microaggression at work can chip away at the mental health and morale of employees, which can impact the workplace culture.

Different Types of Microaggressions

Microaggressions at work can take many forms.

Microinsult: subtle jabs, like saying, “You’re so articulate for someone your age.” This is a comment that appears harmless but carries an underlying stereotype.

Microassaults: which are more overt, such as mocking someone’s accent or name.

Microinvalidations: happen when someone’s experiences are dismissed, like saying, “This wasn’t intentional,” or “I don’t see color,” which ignores a person’s racial identity and experiences.

Each of these forms reinforces the feeling of being an outsider, eroding trust and morale over time.

How Can Microaggressions Manifest at Work?

You might wonder how these subtle actions show up in a professional environment. They are often incorporated into everyday interactions. Examples of how microgeneration at work can manifest include:

Bias in hiring: It could be a hiring decision where a candidate with a “foreign” name gets passed over, or it could be the exclusion of a team member from important meetings because they’re seen as “different.”
Questioning qualifications: Asking a candidate from a marginalized background, “How did you qualify for this role?” implies that their presence in a professional setting is unexpected or unearned, suggesting doubt about their qualifications.
Exclusion: Not inviting people of color to meetings.
Undermining authority: when a woman in a leadership role has her decisions constantly questioned or has men on the team explain concepts or terms that she already understands, undermining her expertise and conveying a lack of respect for her skills.

These small slights add up, creating an atmosphere where certain employees feel undervalued or marginalized. Over time, signs of microaggressions become evident through low employee morale, decreased productivity, and high turnover rates, especially among underrepresented groups.

What If You Have Committed a Microaggression

We’re all human, and we all make unintentional mistakes. If someone called you for unintentionally making a comment or did something that qualifies as a microaggression, what should you do now?

1- Pause: take a deep breath to recognize what happened!

2- Do not center yourself: it’s uncomfortable to be in this situation, but it’s about the person impacted, not you. Put yourself in this person’s shoes, having to hear these kinds of comments and endure those actions a lot. It can be damaging to their mental health.

3- Apologize: resist the urge to explain or defend your intentions—focus instead on acknowledging the hurt caused.

4- Listen: give the person affected the space to share how they felt and really hear their perspective.

5- Reflect: take some time to think and ask yourself, “Why did I say or do that?” Understanding your own unconscious biases is crucial for personal growth and preventing future incidents. What’s most important is to know that no one is immune to biases, but recognizing them can help you make better choices in the future.

6- Follow up: offer the opportunity to continue the conversation in the future and share your personal growth plan, such as reading more about this topic and discussing it with your co-worker.

The Risks of Microaggression at Work

If microaggressions go unchecked, they can have serious consequences. Although they may not always constitute harassment or discrimination as defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code, they can contribute to a hostile or unwelcoming work environment, particularly when they are part of a pattern of behavior.

Beyond damaging relationships, microaggressions lower morale and can lead to poor mental health in the workplace. Employees who experience frequent microaggressions are more likely to feel isolated and eventually leave the company. This isn’t just a loss of talent—it’s also a reputation and brand issue, which can lead to repelling potential talent from your company.

In a time where workplace culture is increasingly important to job seekers, organizations known for tolerating discriminatory behavior will struggle to attract top talent. Businesses that foster an inclusive environment, on the other hand, are far more likely to thrive.

Responding to Microaggressions

If you witness a microaggression at work or are on the receiving end, it’s essential to evaluate the relationship and the situation. Sometimes, it is safer not to speak up. If you decide to address it, you don’t have to be confrontational to address the issue.

A simple “I don’t think that came across how you meant it” can open a conversation.

For those who are impacted, expressing how the action made you feel can help raise awareness. Saying, “That comment felt dismissive of my experience,” puts the focus on how the behavior affected you rather than blaming the other person.

While conversations like these can be uncomfortable, they are necessary to break down the ingrained behaviors that fuel microaggressions.

What Can Employers Do About Microaggressions?

For employers and leaders, responding to microaggressions is about more than just resolving conflicts. It’s about creating an environment where employees feel safe and supported. The first step is to listen carefully to any reports of microaggressions. Dismissing complaints or minimizing them is a surefire way to lose trust.

Once an issue is raised, take it seriously. Offer support to the employee affected and address the behavior of the person responsible. Implement regular unconscious bias training for all employees, provide clear, actionable steps for addressing microaggression at work, and follow the federal requirements to prevent harassment in the workplace.

This is not a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing effort to build a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.

What Not to Say in Response to Microaggressions

It’s important to know what to avoid when handling microaggressions.

✗ Never dismiss the complaint by saying, “You’re overreacting,” or, “That wasn’t my intention.” Intent doesn’t erase the impact.

✗ Never blame the person affected or turn the issue into a “misunderstanding”; this will only exacerbate the damage.

Instead, focus on acknowledging the hurt and taking steps to prevent it from happening again.

Reverse Microaggression

While microaggression at work diminishes employees’ identities, micro-affirmations uplift and validate them; these are small, subtle gestures or comments that recognize and validate a person’s identity, contributions, or experiences. They are positive affirmations that foster inclusion and support.

For instance, during a meeting, acknowledging a colleague’s unique perspective by saying, “That’s a great point; I hadn’t considered that before,” can make them feel valued. Similarly, acknowledging someone’s achievements by saying, “Your hard work on this project made a significant impact.” and actively including diverse voices in discussions or decision-making processes.

Microaffirmations play a crucial role in building a positive workplace culture. They encourage employees to express themselves freely and promote inclusivity. By intentionally practicing microaffirmations, leaders can create an environment where everyone feels appreciated and empowered.

Addressing microaggressions requires continuous reflection and action. Employers must look closely at how they contribute to a biased culture and what they can do to change it. The question is, how will you make sure that microaggressions have no place in your workplace?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a microaggression?
– A microaggression is a subtle, often unintentional comment or action that conveys a derogatory or dismissive message toward a marginalized group.

Q: How does microaggression differ from overt discrimination?
– Unlike overt discrimination, which is direct and obvious, microaggressions are often subtle and may go unnoticed by the perpetrator, making them harder to identify and address.

Q: Can microaggressions be unintentional?
– Yes, many microaggressions are unintentional and stem from unconscious biases. However, the impact on the recipient can still be significant.

Q: How can I recognize if I am committing microaggressions?
– Self-reflection and feedback from colleagues are crucial. If someone indicates that a comment or action was hurtful, take it seriously and examine your intentions and biases.

Q: What should I do if I experience microaggression?
– You can address it by expressing how the comment made you feel, either directly to the person or by seeking support from HR or a trusted colleague.

Mar 04
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8 Recruitment Tips to Promote Diversity In Workplace

By Diversity and Inclusion

The pursuit of diversity in the workplace has become a cornerstone of progressive organizations aiming to thrive in today’s interconnected global environment. Building a workplace that reflects a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives aligns with ethical imperatives and fuels innovation and organizational excellence. Recruitment, the gateway to organizational talent, plays a pivotal role in shaping the composition of the workplace.

Below are eight recruitment activities that foster workplace diversity and create an environment that nurtures inclusivity.

1. Unbiased Job Descriptions and Requirements

The foundation of any successful diversity recruitment strategy lies in crafting unbiased job descriptions and requirements. Language is a powerful tool that can either attract or discourage potential candidates. Organizations should scrutinize their job descriptions to ensure that they are free from gender, racial, or other biases that might inadvertently deter qualified individuals from applying. By focusing on the essential skills and qualifications required for the job, companies can open the doors to a more diverse pool of candidates.

Unconscious biases, often embedded in traditional job descriptions, can perpetuate gender and racial disparities in hiring. For instance, a study conducted by Harvard and Carnegie Mellon found that women were less likely to apply for positions with male-oriented language. Therefore, adopting inclusive language and emphasizing core competencies can break down barriers and invite a broader range of applicants.

2. Diverse Hiring Panels

Establishing diverse hiring panels is a strategic move that directly influences the inclusivity of the recruitment process. When interviews and hiring decisions are conducted by individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, unconscious biases are more likely to be recognized and addressed. A diverse hiring panel brings a multiplicity of viewpoints to the decision-making process, contributing to fairer assessments and reducing the risk of homogeneity in the workplace.

This commitment to diversity in the workplace resonates positively with applicants, reinforcing the organization’s dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

3. Strategic Outreach Programs

Proactive engagement with diverse communities through strategic outreach programs is instrumental in broadening the talent pool. Organizations can establish partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and professional networks focused on underrepresented groups. These partnerships create pipelines for diverse talent, ensuring that the organization is reaching candidates who may not be actively searching for opportunities through traditional channels.

Strategic outreach programs also facilitate mentorship initiatives, internship opportunities, and educational partnerships that can nurture diverse talent from the early stages of their careers. By investing in these programs, organizations contribute to developing a more diverse workplace and strengthen their ties with the communities they serve.

4. Transparent Diversity in Workplace Policies

Transparency in communicating diversity and inclusion policies is paramount in attracting candidates who value and prioritize these principles. Organizations that openly articulate their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment signal to potential employees that they are proactive in addressing diversity-related issues. This transparency can contribute to building trust and attracting candidates who are aligned with the organization’s values.

Clear communication of diversity and inclusion initiatives also extends to the company’s actions. Organizations should highlight success stories, showcase diverse role models within the company, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in creating an inclusive workplace. This transparency attracts diverse talent and contributes to the organization’s reputation as a socially responsible and forward-thinking employer.

5. Blind Recruitment Processes

Implementing blind recruitment processes is a powerful strategy to eliminate biases related to personal characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, or age. By anonymizing resumes and applications, organizations shift the focus from demographic details to the qualifications and experiences of candidates. This approach ensures hiring decisions are based on merit, skills, and competencies rather than unconscious biases.

Blind recruitment processes can be applied at various stages, including initial resume screening, interviews, and skill assessments. Removing identifiable information allows hiring managers to make decisions based solely on the candidate’s ability to perform the job, promoting a fair and unbiased selection process. This diversifies the talent pool and enhances the overall quality of hires.

6. Flexible Work Arrangements

Acknowledging and accommodating diverse needs is essential for attracting and retaining diversity in the workplace. Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, flexible hours, and job-sharing programs, demonstrates a commitment to creating an inclusive environment accommodating different lifestyles and personal circumstances.

Many individuals from underrepresented groups, such as caregivers or individuals with disabilities, may benefit significantly from flexible work arrangements. By providing these options, organizations attract a broader range of candidates and contribute to employee satisfaction and retention. In a survey conducted by Deloitte, 80% of respondents indicated that flexible work arrangements were a crucial factor in their decision to stay with an employer.

Furthermore, organizations can utilize technology to enable remote work, opening up opportunities for individuals facing geographical or transportation barriers. This approach promotes diversity and aligns with the evolving nature of work in the digital age.

7. Diversity Training for Recruiters

Empowering recruiters with diversity training is imperative to ensure that the entire recruitment team is equipped to identify and address unconscious biases. Diversity training programs should cover a range of topics, including the identification of unconscious biases, understanding the importance of diversity, and implementing inclusive language in communications.

Recruiters should be equipped with the skills to recognize and challenge biases in themselves and their colleagues, fostering a culture of inclusivity throughout the recruitment process.

Training programs can also educate recruiters on the value of diversity in organizational success. Research consistently shows that diverse teams are more innovative, make better decisions, and outperform homogeneous teams. By aligning recruitment practices with these findings, organizations can position diversity as a strategic advantage rather than merely a moral imperative.

8. Regular Diversity Audits and Evaluations

To ensure the sustainability of a commitment to diversity, organizations should conduct regular diversity audits and evaluations of their recruitment processes. Collecting and analyzing data on the demographics of applicants, interviewees, and hires provides insights into current strategies’ effectiveness and identifies areas for improvement.

Diversity audits can reveal patterns of bias or areas where the organization may be falling short in attracting and retaining diverse talent. Metrics such as representing different demographic groups at various stages of the recruitment process, time-to-fill positions for diverse candidates, and employee satisfaction surveys can provide valuable feedback for refining and adapting recruitment strategies.

These recruitment activities are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, working together to create an environment that attracts, retains, and promotes diversity. Organizations that embrace these strategies position themselves as socially responsible innovative and adaptable in the face of an evolving global landscape.

Oct 12
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Employers Need to Do Better for People with Disabilities

By Diversity and Inclusion

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is upon us, a time for reflection and action.

People living with disabilities are hugely under-represented in corporate leadership. A rule change on corporate diversity disclosures in Canada could help change that. But only if the right path is chosen.

At Career Edge, we’re on a mission to promote inclusivity in the workforce. In this article, we’ll share key statistics and actionable steps to encourage employers to hire more people with disabilities.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

While income disparities continue to exist, with lower educational attainment for individuals with disabilities, in this National Disability Employment Awareness Month, here are a few reminders for employers to aim to achieve.

  • Aspiring to diversify the talent pool.
  • Driving cultural change within businesses.
  • Supporting disabled employees to succeed in the hiring and onboarding process.
  • Providing the needed support and accommodations to perform their jobs. 

Understanding the Status Quo

While the number of people with disabilities in Canada is significant, their participation in the labour market lags behind that of people without disabilities. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is consistently higher, making National Disability Employment Awareness Month a crucial opportunity to address this disparity.

To grasp the importance of this mission, let’s delve into the numbers:

  • In 2022, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 6.9%, nearly double that of those without disabilities, 3.8% (Statistics Canada, 2022)
  • The median hourly wages for those with disabilities were 5.5% lower than those without disabilities. (Statistics Canada 2022)
  • In 2022, among those with disabilities who were employed, one in five 20.3% worked part-time (not by choice), compared with 16.2% among those without disabilities. 
  • Nearly 59% of working-age adults with disabilities are employed, compared to around 80% of those without disabilities (Statistics Canada, 2017).
  • 1.6 million Canadians with disabilities couldn’t afford the necessary aids, devices, or meds.
  • Disability isn’t always obvious. As of 2023, approximately 2.3 million Canadians aged 15 and over are living with severe disabilities that limit their daily activities, according to Statistics Canada. 

How Can Employers Help?

Disabilities still represent a barrier for many Canadians in terms of acquiring and maintaining meaningful employment. Recently, the legal and policy landscape has changed in Canada on matters related to disability and inclusion. These policies, such as the Accessible Canada Act and the Disability Benefit Act, are meant to remove barriers and enable more equitable access to employment for those with disabilities.

Overcoming barriers is vital to fostering inclusivity. Here are a few things you can do as an employer when hiring people with disabilities. 

Despite limited opportunities, BMO’s 2013 survey found that 77% of employers reported positive results with disabled hires.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about the potential and capabilities of individuals with disabilities. It serves as a reminder that disability shouldn’t be a barrier to pursuing a fulfilling career. 

It’s vital to raise awareness about hidden disabilities to promote understanding and empathy within the workplace. 

How to be Inclusive of Employees with Disabilities

Accommodations aren’t always met. Statistics Canada’s 2017 survey revealed that workplace accommodations such as flexible work arrangements, workstation modifications, and human or technical support were frequently required. However, the likelihood of meeting those decreased as the number of required accommodations increased. Only 75% of employees with disabilities requiring one accommodation had their needs met, while 36% of those requiring three or more had their needs met. 

Embracing accommodations goes beyond ethics; it’s an investment in your organization’s growth and success. To create an inclusive workplace, organizations should consider various strategies:

  1. Accessible Workspaces: Make physical accommodations like ramps, accessible restrooms, and elevators to ensure everyone can navigate the workspace comfortably. Ensure physical accommodations like ramps, accessible restrooms, and elevators are in place for a comfortable work environment.
  2. Flexibility: Implementing flexible policies that cater to various needs, such as flexible hours and remote work options.
  3. Training and Sensitivity Workshops: Educate employees about disabilities, fostering empathy and understanding among colleagues. Training: Offering training on recognizing and accommodating hidden disabilities. The Ontario Human Rights Commission provides resources for employers in this regard.
  4. Recruitment and Retention Programs: Actively recruit individuals with disabilities and establish mentorship programs to support their career development.
  5. Mental Health Support: Recognize that disabilities include both visible and invisible conditions. 
  6. Open Communication: Foster open communication within the workplace, where employees feel comfortable discussing their needs and challenges.
  7. Flexibility and Training: Offer flexible work arrangements and provide training on recognizing and accommodating hidden disabilities.
  8. Recruitment and Mental Health Support: Actively recruit individuals with disabilities and provide mental health support to all employees.

Resources for Employers 

Canada provides numerous resources for building an inclusive workforce, such as 

  1. Career Edge: Connect with us, and we’ll help you find many incredible talents with disabilities and help you navigate the hiring and onboarding process.
  2.  Job Accommodation Service (JAS): JAS, offered by Employment and Social Development Canada, provides valuable resources and financial assistance to help employers make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
  3. Provincial Accessibility Legislation: Many provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba, have introduced accessibility legislation that mandates accessibility standards for businesses and public institutions.

By promoting inclusivity and empowering employees with disabilities to contribute their unique skills and perspectives, you’ll foster a more diverse, creative, and resilient workforce. So, let’s work together to create a Canada where everyone, regardless of their abilities, is celebrated for their contributions and can thrive in the workplace.

Aug 04
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recruiting diverse candidates

7 Strategies for Hiring Diverse Candidates

By Diversity and Inclusion

Many companies strive to hire diverse candidates. It’s more than just a trend or a nice thing to have. It’s a must-have if you’re looking to represent Canadian society. Diversity also has a lot of benefits for companies, it increases creativity, profitability, and employee retention.

The first step in building a diverse workforce is to hire more diverse candidates. But where do you start?  

 If you’re wondering how to achieve the diversity goals, we’ll give you a few tools and strategies to get you started. 

But before we do that, let’s talk about diversity hiring and its essential.

What is Diversity Hiring?

Diversity recruiting is a merit-based recruitment process that is free from unconscious biases for or against individuals or groups of candidates.

The process should be structured to reduce biases related to candidates’ race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristics unrelated to their job performance and give them an equal opportunity.

While in the United States, many organizations follow the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, in Canada, we don’t have similar guidelines. 

Here are proven strategies that will help you hire more diverse candidates 

1. Attract the Right Candidates with the Job Description

Start with auditing your past job ads. Notice if you’re only attracting specific candidates. 

Studies have found that the language you use in your job description helps to attract or deter candidates from applying to the role. But there are a few things you can do.

  • Find ways to be more inclusive in your language to appeal to candidates from different backgrounds. Remove discriminatory language from job descriptions — many job descriptions often contain unintentional bias.
  • Avoid including the long list of nice haves in your job requirement. Studies also indicate that women may not apply for a job unless they are 100% qualified. 
  • Go beyond the typical “equal employer” phrase. Don’t be afraid to write a job description with specific demographics to boost your diversity recruiting strategy. 

2. Encourage Diverse Referrals 

A great way to ensure a diverse talent pool is to be creative when sourcing your candidates. Don’t rely on the same sources repeatedly when seeking out diverse candidates. 

Creating a diverse candidate referral program is a wonderful tool to boost your diversity recruitment and showcase that your company values different backgrounds, which is fantastic for team morale and engagement. Here is how you can do it.

  • Leverage the network of your existing diverse employees by asking them for referrals from their network or community. 
  • Offer innovative referral bonuses to your employees who recommend candidates from underrepresented groups.
  • Encourage employees to share your job ads with their network and give them the tools they need to promote the company for you. 

3- Advertise your Open Jobs through Different Channels

To hire diverse candidates, you must get out of your comfort zone and proactively source candidates from diverse backgrounds.

If you’re doing the same thing — going to the same job fairs, posting jobs on the same platforms, then you need to shake things up a bit to find diverse candidates where they look for jobs.

We at Career Edge have many underrepresented and diverse candidates — from new grads (including many international students), newcomers to Canada, and people with disabilities. We help you find and hire an underrepresented candidate through the low-risk hiring solution, paid internships.

Contact us if you want to source diverse candidates, and we’ll help you.

4. Improve the Candidate Screening Process

Screening candidates can be tricky. It often depends on many factors such as schools, previous jobs, and people they know — it can often decrease the diversity of the candidate pipeline. If your existing hiring process shows a misstep in candidate screening, there are a few ideas you can try.

Rethink Screening Factors 

Take some time to review what you value most in candidates and why, and honestly, ask yourself if you’re inclined towards specific types of people. 

Ask your colleagues to get another perspective. If you are hiring based on bias, consider changing your screening methods.

Leverage ATS in Shortlisting

Use ATS to find candidates with the most potential and best skills for the job.

This tip removes personal opinions and only focuses on the job requirements. This will provide an impartial shortlist, free from bias and help you move towards improving diversity.

Bind Resumes

Another popular technique recruiters use to remove bias screening is blinding any personal information on resumes. Blinding information like names, schools, or locations can help reduce any unconscious bias.

5. Design an Interview Process to Work

The interview process is the hardest part of the diversity recruiting process. 

Many interviewers make their decision within seconds by relying on our gut feelings just by looking at the candidate. Interview the right way by giving all candidates the same opportunity. Here is how.

Use Blind Interviews

Blind interviews use the same principle as blinding out resumes. You can do that by sending candidates questionnaires through your recruitment process. When candidates answer these questions, you will know about their skills before getting into the interview bias-free.

Introduce Diverse Interview Panels

Include a selection of your employees from different backgrounds to collaborate in hiring and avoid unconscious biases. 

Hire and Train recruiters to Focus on Diversity

Train your recruiters on how to avoid bias in recruitment. You can also hire trained recruiters to hire diverse candidates or a specialized company that can do that for you. 

6. Evaluate your Diversity Hiring Metrics

Assess the diversity of your hiring process and identify any potential roadblocks. The easiest way to improve your diversity hiring is by picking one metric to track.

For example, you can decide to increase the percentage of qualified visible minority employees by 10% within the next six months.

Track and evaluate your diversity efforts by asking these questions.

  • Did you hit your diversity goal?
  • Which strategies were effective and which ones weren’t? 
  • Where are your best diverse candidates coming from?

7. Create Policies Reinforcing Diversity and Inclusion 

It’s one thing to value diversity but another to live up to those values.

The best way to boost diversity in your workplace is to proactively implement company policies and a brand that values people and ideas from all backgrounds. 

Creating a diverse workplace doesn’t just stop with hiring. Here are some things you can do to reinforce diversity values in the workplace.

  • Be flexible with your time off and consider more religious holidays for different communities.
  • Promote flexible work hours that will allow different candidates to continue work while having the life they choose. 
  • Encourage employees to open up and have a dialogue to ensure everyone feels welcome and heard.
  • Manage internal campaigns and educate employees to make diversity an inherent part of your culture. 

If you want to keep attracting and hiring underrepresented candidates, your brand should reflect that. Diverse candidates will seek out companies who put in the effort to support those values.

May 03
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diversity hiring benefits career edge

6 Benefits of Diversity Hiring That You May Not Know About

By Diversity and Inclusion

Hiring a diverse workforce has become a priority for so many companies worldwide. While it’s still optional for many employers in Canada, some governments worldwide are starting to regulate it.

Some businesses want to attract a diverse group of people to reflect the community, but that’s not the only advantage. Diversity in the workplace has many more benefits than just ticking a box. 

What is EDI or Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace?

Diversity and inclusion hiring provide opportunities for underrepresented groups that wouldn’t otherwise be considered because of biases related to a candidate’s age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any characteristics unrelated to their job performance.

There is a common misconception that EDI hiring aims to increase workplace diversity for the sake of diversity. The objective of diversity hiring is to identify and reduce potential unconscious biases in screening, shortlisting, and hiring qualified candidates. The long-term goal for EDI hiring is to create a culture of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace to reflect society.

Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace

Diversity recruitment isn’t only the right thing to do, but it’s also the smart thing to do. When a business recruits and retains a diverse pool of people, it benefits the company and its employees. 

Here are some of the benefits that employment diversity could improve your business in the short and long run.

1. Improving Sales 

Diverse companies are more profitable and more likely to achieve long-term growth as an entity when compared to less-diverse counterparts. 

Forbes research has identified that workforce diversity and inclusion create a better performance for product development and new markets, while companies with diverse top management reap the benefits of higher earnings and returns on equity.

According to McKinsey’s research, for every 1% increase in diversity, the company should predict a 3% to 9% increase in sales revenue.

2. Decreasing Turnover 

Companies that recruit and retain a diverse workforce have a competitive advantage. 

Many employees prefer companies with diverse workforces because this shows that the company is open, accepting, and free of discrimination. This leads to happier employees who feel loyal to their company and are more likely to stay there for years. 

Decreased turnover rates can also save time and money, improve recruiting efforts and help you get the brightest available talent through your doors.

3. Increasing Creativity

Growing up, living, and working in a different country often gives immigrants to Canada a unique perspective that can enrich your company’s decision-making processes. When you have a wide variety of minds working together to solve a problem or help your company achieve some goals, you get unique and out-of-the-box solutions.

Professors Hong and Page from the University of Michigan showed that groups of diverse problem solvers could outperform groups of high-ability problem solvers.

4. Cultivating a Resilient Workforce 

In today’s ever-changing market, the ability to adapt to sudden and unforeseen events can make or break your business.

Luckily for you, diverse groups of immigrants come with a proven ability to stand in the face of any change. They’ve left their countries, families, and lives as they know them, hustled, and settled in Canada. 

If you want to increase your company’s resilience, these are the kinds of employees you should be hiring.

5. Better Access to Local and International Markets

The Canadian market is so diverse right now, with one in five Canadians identifying as an immigrant. 

Hiring diverse immigrant groups is only natural because it reflects the community. Companies with a diverse staff are better positioned to meet the needs of diverse customer bases. They can also help a company tailor its messages and approach and better connect with different groups in the market.

It doesn’t just work locally; immigrants can be an invaluable asset if your company wants to expand internationally. They can often offer up insights and contacts in their home country and save their employers time and money.

6. Enhancing Corporate Reputation

Inclusive companies that hire a diverse workforce are more likely to be viewed positively in their industry.

Being recognized as an inclusive organization can help your company receive good press and develop a strong employer brand, which will help you improve your reputation. 

Career Edge partners such as RBC, Scotia Bank, TD Bank, Manulife, TTC, and the City of Toronto have been receiving Canada’s Best Diversity Employers award for years. This program recognizes employers across Canada with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.

Want to hire a more diverse workforce? Get in touch with Career Edge today!

Oct 08
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stop celebrating diversity

It’s Time to Stop Celebrating Diversity

By Diversity and Inclusion, Employer

We need to stop celebrating diversity in the workplace. Yes, you read that right – we need to stop celebrating diversity. Here is why – diversity in the workplace is powerful, influential, and engaging…but only if we can utilize it correctly. If we do not use the skills and perspectives and experiences our diverse teams offer to create better products and services, then our diversity becomes a vanity statistic; a data point that makes us feel better and has no real impact.

So, how can we tap into diversity? Read More

Jun 01
Love8
diversity

Diverse Hiring

By Diversity and Inclusion

Today marks the official start of LGBT Pride Month in Canada, a time when Career Edge would like to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in hiring practices, and its value to organizations. But what is diversity? What is inclusion?

Diversity: the range of differences among an organization’s people

Inclusion: the act or practice of supporting an organization’s diverse people

Companies valuing diversity respect and appreciate differences in ethnicity, national origin, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, education, and religion. Inclusive companies equitably support a diverse workforce by ensuring corporate culture, work environment, and business practices enable individuals to reach their full potential. Read More

Jul 29
Love6
Internationally qualified Professionals

Tips to help internationally qualified professionals re-launch their careers in Canada

By Diversity and Inclusion

In the article “Internationally Trained Professionals – Should They Abandon Their Profession?” Lee Koren makes some great points, and we’re going to reply to them below!

Employment Consultant Lee Koren recently blogged about her experience helping internationally qualified professionals (IQPs) overcome the challenges faced when attempting to re-launch their careers in Canada.

Koren explains that while the government has made social programming available to support the settlement of new immigrants, employers’ behaviour, in terms of recognizing international (versus Canadian) work experience, remains a challenge – despite the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s policy on removing the “Canadian experience” barrier.

Too often, this barrier results in skilled immigrants taking “survival jobs” that are well below their level of education and experience acquired abroad. This is not only a huge setback for IQPs, but also for Canada’s economy.

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Jul 23
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Winning with Newcomers

By Diversity and Inclusion

At the recent 10th Annual Internationally Educated Professionals Conference, hosted by the Progress and Career Planning Institute (PCPI) in Toronto on April 5, the issue of workplace integration of new Canadians was a hot topic.

With recent reports indicating that Canada is facing a growing deficit of workers, there is an increased urgency for innovative inclusion strategies when it come to hiring newcomers.

“Employers must realize that they cannot properly address their skills shortages without making workforce integration programs more accessible to new Canadians,” says Silma Roddau, president of PCPI. “If not, they miss out on a whole talent pool of people and the potential to compete on both a local and global level.”

 

Recently, the list of the Best Employers for New Canadians was announced and one of the awardees was St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Kevin Kirkpatrick, manager of recruitment at the hospital, stresses the importance of a diverse workforce. “St. Michael’s Hospital uses several programs for internationally educated professionals that attribute to our success in winning this award. We utilize an internship program from Career Bridge that allows IEPs an opportunity to get Canadian work experience and at the same time St. Michael’s benefits from highly trained expertise to assist with projects. To date, almost half of our internships have resulted in employment,” he says.

This competition, managed by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, recognizes the nation’s best employers for recent immigrants. One of the awardees recognized is the City of Mississauga. “The 2013 Best Employers for New Canadians special designation has recognized the city for offering programs that assist new Canadians to transition to a new workplace and a new life in Canada. Through these programs, internationally qualified professionals bring diversity and add great value to the workplace,” says Sharon Willock, director of human resources, City of Mississauga.

Among the other employers listed was Deloitte & Touche LLP, one of the biggest certified public accountant firms in the world. The company boasts hundreds of employees serving as mentors or “buddies” to new Canadians. No wonder that the company has been featured regularly on this esteemed list. “Our core culture is delivery to our clients. Our clients are diverse, so if we are not diverse, we won’t match up to their needs. We don’t want our clients to face our team and go, ‘You don’t look like us!’” said Jason Winkler, chief talent officer, Deloitte Canada in a recent interview with our magazine as part of our “What Employers Want” series. “We actually believe that our workplace is fun, more interesting, more valuable because we are all so different from each other. We come up with better ideas from a diverse workforce. It’s actually sound business.”

Kirkpatrick agrees that the connection between staff and clients (i.e., hospital patients in St. Michael’s case) is crucial, and the hospital makes an effort to invest in skill development and integration programs. “Once hired at St. Michael’s, our integration program works on developing the skills needed to succeed in the Canadian workplace. These programs are supported at the executive level at St. Michael’s because they have identified the need to ensure staff is reflective of the community and patients served by the hospital,” he says.

Addressing this very need for a higher level of interaction between the immigrant talent pool and Canadian employers, Canadian Immigrant and Scotiabank in association with Centennial College are organizing their 3rd annual Career, Education and Settlement Fair on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The day-long fair is free to all newcomers in the GTA, offering them access to various exhibitors and interactive sessions led by experts in various fields of interests. The fair will provide information and tips on job hunting, accreditation and upgrading of education, as well as information about where to live, where to study and who to turn to when seeking assistance in your settlement.

Last year, major exhibitors at the fair included top employers like educational institutions such as the University of Toronto, Humber College and York University, while representatives of professional associations such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified General Accountant (CGA) associations were on hand to demystify any doubts foreign-trained professionals might have.

“I was very impressed with the level of attendees. Not only have most of them worked in the financial sector in their native countries, but also seem to have done a fair amount of research on what Scotiabank is all about. They have the skills, knowledge and expertise to work within functional areas of the bank,” said Sujay Vardhmane, senior manager, global employment strategies, Scotiabank, at the 2012 fair.

This article is By Baisakhi Roy

*Article republished from http://canadianimmigrant.ca/news-and-views/winning-with-newcomers

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