Employer Recognition for Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
What is Diversity?
"In Canada, diversity extends beyond race or ethnicity, religion, culture or newcomer status to include factors such as geography, language, politics, gender, beliefs, sexual orientation, economic status, abilities, skills and interests. A diverse workplace reflects our communities."
A diverse workforce may include employees that are New Canadians, from racialized communities (visible minority or ethno-cultural communities), of ancestral diversity (Aboriginal Peoples), respecting gender, from FLBTTQ community (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirited and queer) and employees with disabilities (may be physical, mental, developmental, learning, permanent, temporary or invisible/hidden). hrcouncil.ca
Many myths abound about hiring individuals with disabilities (see CCRW.org), but a diverse workforce is a strong workforce.
Why is diversity important in the workplace?
“Diversity is critical for organization’s ability to innovate and adapt in a fast-changing environment. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs and most admired leaders will tell you the same thing. Diversity is essential to growth and prosperity of any company: diversity of perspectives, experiences, cultures, genders, and age. Why? Because diversity breeds innovation. And innovation breeds business success.” “If you do not intentionally include, you unintentionally exclude.” Forbes.com
A more diverse workforce can foster innovation and success (view more).
What is Inclusion?
“Diversity means all the ways we differ. Some of these differences we are born with and cannot change. Anything that makes us unique is part of this definition of diversity. Inclusion involves bringing together and harnessing these diverse forces and resources, in a way that is beneficial. Inclusion puts the concept and practice of diversity into action by creating an environment of involvement, respect, and connection—where the richness of ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives are harnessed to create business value. Organizations need both diversity and inclusion to be successful." diversityjournal.com
At Being Human Services, we encourage and support local businesses to hire diverse and inclusive work forces. Through providing support, information and resources to both employers, job seekers and employees, we can make Medicine Hat a more successful and inclusive community. We are pleased to provide a certificates of recognition to local businesses that have clearly demonstrated diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Trophy & Engraving World
Trophy & Engraving World believes in what Being Human Services is trying to accomplish with its Untapped Potential (UP) Program: that every person, disability or not, deserves to have meaningful employment. Michelle and Dean were very supportive employers who provided Work Experiences with the potential for part time employment to two individuals with learning challenges. They worked closely with the Life Coach from Being Human Services to ensure that these two not only learned what Trophy & Engraving World offers their clients including how to work the machines and computer systems required to provide these services, but also learned valuable life skils applicable outside the workplace. Bob Will is very proud to present an Employer Recognition of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate to Michelle Klimosko, Owner/Operator of Trophy & Engraving World. Congratulations!!
Bob Will of Being Human Services and Michelle Klimosko, Owner/Operator of Trophy & Engraving World
Medicine Hat Best Western Hotel
The staff at the Best Western and Sun Country Plus have been extremely receptive to the many programs & services that Being Human Services Employment provide to the community of Medicine Hat. Both Vicki Stock, Assistant Manager, and Madonna Stapleton, Head House Keeper, have welcomed numerous Job Seekers into employment at the Best Western. They have shown great understanding in making accommodations for and offering meaningful employment to job seekers who have barriers to employment that have caused them to be overlooked by other employers. Bob Will, Director of Marketing and Job Development at Being Human Services was happy to present an Employer Recognition of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate to Vicky, Jeanette and Madonna at the Medicine Hat Best Western Hotel. Congratulations!
Bob Will of Being Human Services, Vicky, Jeanette and Madonna of Best Western.
Red Hat Cooperative Medicine Hat
Working with RedHat Cooperative has been one of our most rewarding experiences in the past year. Being Human Services has developed a mutually beneficial relationship with RedHat, especially since Temporary Foreign Workers have been taken away from them as a source of hard working individuals. They have shown that no matter the program/service we provide, they are willing to give each Job Seeker interested in a career with RedHat the opportunity to show they can do the job. They have also utilized our Unpaid Work Experience to let seekers showcase their abilities and to see if the Job Seeker actually would enjoy working at RedHat. Discussions are underway to see how we can benefit each other with our English Language to Support Employment (ELSE) program during their slow season; this will give employees who need to work on their English a chance do so while being laid off in the slow season and then be rehired when things pick back up in the spring. We are proud to award RedHat a Certificate of Inclusion! Bob Will, Director of Marketing and Job Development at Being Human Services was happy to present an Employer Recognition of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate to Brent Fraser, HR Manager of Red Hat Cooperative. Congratulations!
Brent Fraser of Red Hat and Bob Will of Being Human Services.