As a “symbol of our collective sorrow,” IKEA Canada lowered its flags in response to the news of the grim discovery of mass graves at former residential schools in this country. The home goods retailer has also been talking with several Indigenous-led organizations to development its reconciliation strategy and has shared resources, including via its employee […]
Diversity, equity and inclusion is top of mind for many plan sponsors these days. And, while issues around retirement and pensions likely aren’t the key focus for employers looking to tackle DEI issues, they should be. This March, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released a study that found the pension gender gap, or the difference […]
Words and imagery have the power to connect, evoke emotion and elicit a reaction. They also have the power to be inclusive, or exclusive, and employers can now harness that power for good to ensure they’re creating an inclusive workplace for everyone. If you received an email written in language you couldn’t relate to, would […]
Starbucks Canada is connecting employees across the country through stories of Asian-Canadians’ contributions to the nation’s history and highlighting Pan-Asian employees’ shared personal and career experiences for Asian Heritage Month and beyond. “There’s a large Asian population of partners within Starbucks and the communities in which we serve,” says Sonia Lam, a district manager at […]
The murder of George Floyd, one year ago today in Minneapolis, Minn., sparked calls for change around the world including in Canadian workplaces. Floyd’s death kicked off global Black Lives Matter rallies last spring and summer, as well as many hard conversations about anti-Black systemic racism between Canadian employers and employees. And in the wake of those […]
Scotiabank’s director of global benefits talks navigating the coronavirus pandemic, enhancing the employee experience and planning for the post-pandemic workplace. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Primary challenges are ensuring we’re evolving our programs to meet the needs of a diverse and changing workforce and communicating these programs clearly. We […]
Green Shield Canada is introducing a gender-affirmation offering in all group plans as a standard benefit. The offering is effective June 30 and reimburses plan sponsors with expenses that are “above and beyond typical plan designs,” according to a press release, which noted Green Shield Canada will also ensure all provincial and territorial health-care supports […]
Women remain underrepresented in boardrooms of Canadian companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange despite the introduction of disclosure requirements intended to boost their numbers, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada. The report said while there’s some progress in the proportion of women on corporate boards, the pace of change remains slow. “More needs […]
Keisha Campbell is now serving as the Toronto Transit Commission’s first chief diversity and culture officer, a new executive role created to address systemic issues within the organization. She joined the TTC on April 1 after serving as head of diversity and inclusion for the personal banking division at TD Bank, where she led, developed […]
TD Bank is broadening its diversity, equity and inclusion goals and connecting employees through anti-racism e-learnings, promoting intersectionality and a storytelling approach. During the month of February, which is Black History Month, many employers in Canada and around the world are furthering their commitments to making their workplaces more equitable and inclusive. On the heels […]