The Canadian Companies Leading Diversity
It’s all a bit overwhelming at the moment, isn’t it? You’d be forgiven for avoiding the news altogether, and hunkering down on the couch to binge watch Love Island with an entire block of strawberry-cream filled chocolate. We’ve all been there. So, we thought it was time for a break from all the doom and gloom. Instead, this week, we’re celebrating the good ones – Canadian companies who are leading the way on diversity, and showing that there is such a thing as good news.
You might be surprised by some of the names on this list!
Norton Rose Fulbright – A leader for women
Let’s face it – law firms don’t exactly have a reputation for work-life balance. We live in a world that still expects women in high-pressure jobs to do the majority of domestic work, including child and elder-care. No matter how it looks on Suits (or LA Law, depending on your vintage), the law has been a particularly tough field for women to reach their full potential.
Well, global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has set out to change all that, creating a supportive environment with structures designed to help its women lawyers overcome traditional barriers to career progression.
Drawing on data from its annual Diversity and Inclusion Survey (the results of which are shared with all staff) the firm has a set 35-hour work week, as well as providing a number of flexible work options, including compressed and shortened work weeks, telecommuting and up to six paid personal days off each year
As well as supporting parents, Norton Rose Fulbright also provides assistance to those trying to become parents, with a $5,000 subsidy for IVF for employees who need it.
All of that work-life balance focus doesn’t mean the firm is taking its foot off the gas when it comes to accelerating the number of women in leadership. It has established a dedicated development program for high-potential women who aspire to partnership, while the national Women in Norton Rose Fulbright group aims to advance gender parity through awareness campaigns and networking opportunities.
Oh, and did we mention there’s a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer?
Stanley Black & Decker – A leader in supporting all abilities
At Stanley Black & Decker (yes, the one who makes all those tools in your garden shed that you’re definitely going to use one day), inclusion is an expectation.
The company, which refers to its employees as “makers” (fun!) takes its D&I responsibilities seriously. All staff must undergo training on unconscious bias, with people managers also required to attend LGBTQ+ inclusion and multicultural awareness training.
Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) has partnered since 2015 with Canada Company to provide employment opportunities for veterans leaving the military, as well as working with nonprofits to specifically hire people with physical and intellectual disabilities.
For those who may face other barriers to employment, SBD provides internships to women entering careers in trades, and partners with Building Up, an organization that runs pre-apprenticeship trades training programs. SBD will also cover up to 100% of job-related tuition for its ‘makers’ each year.
With so many diverse employees, it’s not surprising that wellbeing is a major focus at SBD. The company has an “Eight Dimensions of Wellness” program that takes a holistic view of employee well-being, including emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational and social well-being. During the pandemic, this translated to the company hiring a Chief Medical Officer and providing direct financial assistance to employees and their families affected by the pandemic, that will continue until $1 million is distributed to employees, after which a broader long-term program will be launched.
Probably not what you were expecting from people who make drills, eh?
YMCA of Greater Toronto – A leader for BIPOC and Reconciliation
Ok. It’s not really surprising that the Y, a recognized community leader across the globe, has some pretty good D&I initiatives. But, like a triple-layer chocolate birthday cake, it doesn’t have to be a surprise to make you happy.
YMCA-GTA has leading practices in not only welcoming a diverse workforce, but in making sure that inclusion is embedded in its culture, particularly in the anti-racism and awareness work it is doing to support its employees and clients. The Y offers Indigenous cultural competency training and an anti-Black racism workshop for staff, as well as conducting a public leadership educational series for diversity and social inclusion. It also counts a Black Experience advisory committee and an Indigenous reconciliation working group amongst the employee groups that contribute to the organization’s policies, procedures and culture.
YMCA-GTA is also a leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives. It runs an annual Pride learning series and offers a 3-hour workshop on respecting and affirming gender identity and gender expression, to help participants identify inclusive practices. The Y is a partner with Pride Toronto and the Rainbow Health Network.
Inclusion is baked into all practices at YMCA-GTA, from the way that the organization ensures that hiring committees consist of diverse individuals with different backgrounds and experiences, and socially inclusive language is used in all job postings, to the fact that diversity and inclusion are considered core competencies in performance management.
Surprise or no surprise, these organizations set an inspiring standard when it comes to social sustainability, and making inclusion a core part of the way they do things. We hope you’ve taken away some great ideas for your own organization, or that you simply feel a little lighter, knowing that these are just three of so many organizations are working for good in the world.
