We haven't come as far as we think. Although there are many more women in the workforce than in 1987 when the Conference Board of Canada started their study, the number of women in middle and senior management has flat-lined. Men are still twice as likely to be in management positions as women. … [Continue reading] Women in Management
Blog
Diversity & Inclusion à la Jack Layton
On Saturday afternoon I joined what seemed like thousands of people outside Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto for Jack Layton's funeral. It was so good to be there, surrounded by an energy of hope and togetherness. This feeling, I thought, is what inclusion is all about: working together, sharing, moving … [Continue reading] Diversity & Inclusion à la Jack Layton
Gender & Sex – learning the difference
Last week I saw a short article in the Metro News about a new at-home gender prediction test that pregnant women (and pregnant trans men) can take at 7 weeks. It is called (no surprise) "Pink or Blue". *sigh* But this post is not about colours. It's about gender versus sex. It's a distinction that … [Continue reading] Gender & Sex – learning the difference
The Devastating Impact of Discrimination
In today's Toronto Star, Ashante Infantry writes about the longest running human rights case in Canadian history (23 years). It has finally been settled, but the plaintiff has not won. Despite the fact that the Ontario Human Rights Commission ruled in his favour 3 times over the past 23 years, the … [Continue reading] The Devastating Impact of Discrimination
After the UK Riots…
This past weekend I caught a brief story on CBC news about how UK Prime Minster David Cameron is considering assistance from New York Police Commissioner and Los Angeles police chief Bill Bratton to help address the violence that has shaken cities in England this month. Whether this partnership … [Continue reading] After the UK Riots…
Ramadan – and the importance of sharing experience
Last week I read Toronto Star columnist Rick Salutin's column (The Ramadan kids go to the cottage). What struck me most about what he writes is how words alone fail us. He writes about having 2 Muslim children spend a few days at the cottage with his son and himself, and the experience of fasting … [Continue reading] Ramadan – and the importance of sharing experience
Hiring People with Disabilities
We continue to make strides in understanding the needs of, and increasing access for people with disabilities. In Ontario, we have the Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). But what does accessibility really mean? While it may be easy to consider aspects of physical accessibility … [Continue reading] Hiring People with Disabilities
Connecting with People
Two weeks ago, I assisted at a workshop called The Mastery of Self Expression. One of the main themes of the workshop is connecting with others. At one point, Larry Gilman (the facilitator) spoke about how quickly we look away when we pass people on the street. The fact that few people say hello … [Continue reading] Connecting with People
Religion (Faith)…. @ Work?
Religion or Faith may be the last thing you expect to hear about at work. Faith is still seen as something private and something which has nothing to do with your work life. But think again. Religion or Faith can inform someone's values and how they move through the world. This, in turn can … [Continue reading] Religion (Faith)…. @ Work?
Ramadan @ Work
If you are Muslim, or know someone who is, you likely know that Ramadan started on Sunday night (July 31st) and that it will run for a month. While it isn't a religious observance that requires absence from work, it can impact the workplace. For those of you who don't think religion has a place at … [Continue reading] Ramadan @ Work