How Can Employers Work to Create Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces?

ALICIA SULLIVAN

Manager

EDI Knowledge Mobilization, Sheridan College

Earlier this year, Sheridan returned to Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity and topped Forbes Magazine’s annual ranking of Canada’s Best Employers. Here, Sheridan’s EDI Knowledge Mobilization Manager Alicia Sullivan discusses the steps organizations should take to foster equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace.

When creating a workplace that values and embodies EDI, employers need to consider a systems approach where the entire organization is involved in some capacity. The responsibilities should not be solely with your EDI/HR department.

Here are three key things to consider:

1. Tone at the top is essential. Senior leadership’s commitment to embedding EDI as part of the organization’s overall strategy is a critical step for fostering EDI in the workplace. Their endorsement and participation in EDI efforts demonstrates the commitment of the organization. If senior leadership doesn’t express strong commitment, employees may be tentative in their support of the strategy and may not trust the process.

2. Organizations must also invest resources into EDI since organizational performance is intricately tied to effectively managing diverse talent. Allocating sufficient resources to operationalize EDI plans – whether it’s providing budget, physical space or adequate human resources (including an EDI leader with access to decision makers) –will provide the means to make progress.

3. Start where you’re at. Many organizations are waiting for the ideal conditions and ‘right approach’ but unfortunately there are no manuals or quick fixes on how to ‘do EDI the right way’. Just get started and things will generally evolve from there.

As a signatory of the 50 – 30 Challenge (a Government of Canada initiative that challenges Canadian organizations to increase representation of equity deserving groups in leadership) Sheridan has intentionally worked towards diversifying its workforce, including its leadership and Board of Governors. Through this work, Sheridan was selected as one of two colleges in Canada to represent Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) as an EDI Knowledge Mobilization Centre offering EDI supports to organizations across Canada.

Sheridan also offers foundational training on EDI to all its employees, helping to create more dialogue, sensitivity and understanding of our differences. While training doesn’t always translate into action, Sheridan offers supportive anchoring initiatives, such as Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), that help to embed learning. Conversations and initiatives from ERGs then circle back into the college ecosystem, providing opportunities for leaders to take action to improve EDI in our workplace.

We want to support you on your equity, diversity and inclusion journey.

Connect with us to learn more: edikmdc@sheridancollege.ca 905-845-9430, ext. 33010.