Equity, diversity and inclusion efforts ramp up
Why is it important to understand the proper use of pronouns in workplace? What can we learn from the bulldozing of Africville? How can the Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) workplace become more inclusive for individuals with disabilities?
Those were just some of the important questions discussed by HHB staff during monthly Lunch and Learn sessions presented over the past year by the Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee.
“We’ve had some powerful discussions that I believe are helping build an organizational culture that embraces the uniqueness of individuals and makes us more representative of the communities we serve,” says committee co-chair Jacqueline Macdonald.
The current equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives are grounded in HHB’s 2020 strategic plan and the identified need for policy and programs to support a diversified workplace. A consultant was hired to assess the workplace, provide training for staff and board members, and suggest a framework for future action. “It started with the Board and happily everyone at HHB has embraced it,” says Board member Donna Smith. “It’s a growing initiative will all parties committed to its success.”
In the past fiscal year, those EDI efforts gained prominence with the formal establishment of an EDI committee, enhanced communication of EDI education and the formal adoption of an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
“It’s easy for an organization to say they’ll work toward a workplace free from discriminatory and intimidating behaviour, but words become action when you have a policy document you can point to that provides a framework for leadership and decision making,” says committee co-chair and Human Resources Manager Carl Gannon.
The policy outlines the HHB definitions of equity, diversity and inclusion and acknowledges the value of equitable treatment. It also highlights how the organization is stronger with employees with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
Building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce is collaborative and requires those in positions of privilege to be allies to those from marginalized groups, states the policy.
Gannon says HHB successfully used targeted hiring on two occasions in the past year to help address representational inequities and he expects to do more in the future.
“At HHB, our safety culture is beyond reproach. As we build momentum on EDI efforts, I hope our EDI commitment will be engrained baked into everything we do in the same fashion,” he says.