By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

diversifying the workplace

Workplace Inclusion Charter being crafted for Red Deer employers

Dec 7, 2019 | 5:03 PM

A new Red Deer Workplace Inclusion Charter is being drawn up to help local employers ensure they aren’t unduly excluding anyone from working for them or receiving proper training.

On Saturday, the latest in a series of community conversations to help guide the charter took place at Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE).

The project, a collaboration of the Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership (RDLIP), CARE, The City of Red Deer, the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Network, and Alberta Global Talent, is funded by United Way Central Alberta.

It focuses on six key areas, including newcomers to Canada, LGBTQ2S+ people, seniors, persons with mental health concerns, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous persons.

“We are working with champion employers in Red Deer to come up with a framework that’s going to help employers reduce barriers while building a more diversified workforce,” says Ezgi Sarioglu, RDLIP partnership coordinator. “We will come up with commitments for employers to work towards and there will be bronze, silver, gold and platinum certifications.”

Individuals aged 55 and over

Central Alberta Older Adult Employment Strategy Assessment Project full report released

14h ago

UPDATE

Red Deer Polytechnic confirms student death on-campus

18h ago

retrofitting building

Carnival Cinemas applies to rezone for residential development

20h ago

The seven current champion employers are Stantec, Red Deer Regional Hospital, CARE, The City of Red Deer, Royal Bank of Canada, Super 8 North and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

In recent years, upwards of 50 have expressed interest in learning how to become a more inclusive employer, according to Stephanie Reyes, program coordinator with Alberta Global Talent.

“It could be stigma, a lack of knowledge from the employer, or not having the intercultural resources to know how to deal with groups from different cultures or different abilities,” she says. “The goal of these meetings is to understand those barriers better, and we’re not blaming employers or saying all employers are bad; we’re taking a holistic approach to understand what employers’ challenges are as well.”

A forum for employers and other community members will take place March 4 in Red Deer. The charter is expected to be completed by then.

The first Alberta workplace inclusion charter was created by Bow Valley Immigration Partnership near Banff, but it solely focuses on newcomers. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has also committed to doing one.

The next community conversation is Monday, Dec. 9 from 6-9 p.m. at Central Alberta Refugee Effort (#202-5000 Gaetz Avenue).