In many occupations, women, Indigenous people, racialized people, persons with disabilities, LGBQ+, gender diverse people and newcomers to Canada represent a much smaller component than they should—and they continue to face barriers that limit their advancement or their desire to remain in the occupation of their choice. These barriers may include conscious or unconscious discrimination, a lack of role models, or workplace culture and practices that prevent an inclusive and equitable workplace. Recruiting, retaining, and advancing these under-represented groups requires more than just opening the doors: there must be a paradigm shift involving focused attention and intentional effort.
Developed and launched by Electricity Human Resources Canada, the Leadership Accord on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a public commitment by employers, unions, educational institutions, associations, and governments to advance, integrate and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in their organization’s policies, processes, culture, and workplace environment to proactively create a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace.
The commitments (and key actions) outlined in the Accord guide organizations through the process of instituting new practices and processes, involving all their employees and partners. They also prompt the implementation of strategic human resource policies and plans focused on the recognition and validation of the personal skills of individuals, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, and ability.
The Accord highlights the importance of evaluating and assessing exclusionary practices to attraction and retention of all under-represented groups.
Leadershift: Pathways to Gender Equity
Despite good intentions and investments in programs to support women’s participation in Canada’s electricity sector, the pace of change has been slow. Leadershift: Pathways to Gender Equity explores the status of women’s representation in companies across Canada’s electricity sector, with a focus on the leadership level. It includes a review of the current levels of women’s participation in the sector, highlights champions and successful initiatives, and offers recommendations for sparking meaningful change.
Changing the face of Canada’s electricity sector requires us all to work closely together. We need to shift the way we think about leaders to understand the current situation and work towards a more equitable and gender balanced workforce.
The full publication can be downloaded at https://electricityhr.ca/resources/leadershift-pathways-to-gender-equity/