REFLECTIONS Please join EEO in extending a warm welcome

REFLECTIONS Please join EEO in extending a warm welcome to our new members! Equal Employment Opportunity Program Newsletter No. 24 Spring 2008 Parker Johnson joined EEO as an Advisor last July. Parker brings a wealth of expertise and education in the areas of employment equity, intercultural communication, and diversity, among other areas. Parker has extensive experience as a presenter, coach, trainer, and facilitator of organizational change, in a variety of professional settings including both academic and government. Susan Ma joined the EEO team this past June as a Clerk Typist III. Susan has a broad range of administrative skills and expertise, and in particular she has brought a creative energy and enthusiasm to her role that is an inspiration to us all! We would also like to congratulate and recognize Daisy Lee’s promotion, to the lead Administration position in EEO. In taking on this challenge, Daisy has managed (somehow!) to keep everything and everyone on track, organized, and functional — and she has, in the process, become the indispensable core of our team. Thank you, Daisy, from everyone! We are very fortunate to have Susan, Parker and Daisy on our team — Welcome to all! H Highlights Hastings Institute for The Lots to fill you in on ……… There is one word to describe our activity over the past year – BUSY! Here are some of the highlights: • Lorna McCreath, retired now from her position as Director, EEO, has joined Hastings as a consultant. She brings a wealth of experience and we are thrilled to be working with her again! • Our latest Board meeting was held December 2007. Thank you to all of our members for their ongoing support. • Jody Andrews, Deputy City Manager, has replaced Judy Rogers as an Officer and Vice President on the Board. Welcome, Jody! • Over 25 new clients have been added to our existing client list. These include Pacific Northern Gas, District of Mission, Vancouver Police Department, Langley Animal Shelter and ABC Recycling. • Our website has recently been revamped and updated. Check it out at vancouver.ca/hastingsinstitute The Hastings Institute continues to provide leadership in the areas of human rights, diversity, respectful workplaces and literacy through its many training workshops and consulting services. These are delivered on a fee-for-service basis to community groups, nonprofit agencies, other municipalities, government departments and organizations in the private sector. For further information on The Hastings Institute, please feel free to contact Monica Kay or Anne Nickerson at 604.873.7786. Law Update In July 2007, the Canadian Human Rights Commission expanded the definition of “disabled” to include people suffering from environmental sensitivities. Successful accommodation for persons with environmental sensitivities requires innovative strategies to minimize or eliminate exposure to triggers in the environment. These may include: developing and enforcing fragrance free and chemical avoidance policies, undertaking educational programs to increase voluntary compliance with such policies, minimizing chemical use and purchasing less toxic products, and notifying employees and clients in advance of construction, re-modeling and cleaning activities. Such measures can prevent injuries and illnesses, and reduce costs and health and safety risks. City of Vancouver Employment and Disability in B.C. – Did You Know? Employers are increasingly concerned about finding talent. People with disabilities represent a large pool of motivated, talented people in BC. Here are some factors and factoids: → Current economic and labour market forecasting indicates more than one million new job openings between 2003 - 2015. A smaller age group (15 - 24), increasing retirement, an aging population and declining population growth with continued economic growth — all contribute to a shrinking labour supply. In 2001, almost 1 in 7 persons had a disability (55% at working age). People with disabilities have comparable skills and the same education levels as those without disabilities. However, persons with disabilities were 2.5 times more likely to be unemployed. Recent survey of employers, 2/3 had no employees with disabilities at all. Lack of awareness of where to start / how to recruit and support persons with disabilities; A perception that accommodation is expensive (the reality is most accommodations are neither complex nor expensive); Fear of the unknown; Outdated or inaccurate beliefs about the capabilities and skills of people with disabilities; Accessing sources to actively recruit persons with disabilities. → → → → → → → → → → Barriers/Challenges Identified By Employers: Key Strategies: Employers that have disabled workers are more aware, and have better support systems. The strategies they identify include: → → → → → → Ensure respectful, educated workplaces; Build relationships with agencies serving persons with disabilities; Showcase accessibility features / technology; When recruiting, focus on the candidate — not the disability; Demonstrate strong leadership support for employing persons with disabilities; Provide resources and toolkits for managers and supervisors. EEO — Who We Are … The Equal Employment Opportunity Program (EEO) is a division of the City Manager’s Office. Our mandate is to work with City departments and staff to create a workplace that is respectful and welcoming of diversity, and to integrate principles of fairness, diversity and inclusiveness in all City policies and practices. Our program is guided by two Council policies, one on equal employment opportunity and the other on harassment prevention. EEO is an independent and confidential resource for all City staff, where you can get information on issues related to building and sustaining respectful & inclusive workplaces. Drop by our office on the Main Floor of City Hall or call us at 604.873.7786 (TTY: 604.873.7001) or visit us on the web at vancouver.ca/eeo Our Staff Monica Kay Anne Nickerson Parker Johnson Rajpal Kohli Workplace Language Program Advisors Director Deborah Lee Daisy Lee Susan Ma Administrative Assistant Administrative Support 2 City of Vancouver Cultural Harmony Awards 2007 On April 3, 1998, Vancouver City Council, in partnership with the Board of Parks & Recreation, embraced the 13th annual Cultural Harmony Award as an annual City initiative to recognize both an individual and an organization which have made outstanding contributions to promote cultural harmony in the City of Vancouver. Since 1996, a worthy individual and an organization have been recognized yearly as Cultural Harmony Award recipients and honoured with both a certificate and a tree planted in their name at the Cultural Harmony Grove near Burrard Bridge. For 2007, the winner in the Organization category was Trout Lake Knitters Group, a group of seniors who come from diverse backgrounds and create hats, mitts, socks, scarves and blankets for the patrons of the Downtown Eastside’s Evelyn Saller Centre, acting as the Centre’s “angels against the cold.” The recipient in the Individual category was Norma Sanchez, who has been instrumental Korina Houghton (Park Board Chair) presenting the award to Norma Sanchez in organizing City-wide mental health symposia for ethnic communities, health care providers and other groups. She also does a variety of volunteer work, including refugee assistance, support groups for Latin American women, and participating on various boards and committees. An “Honourable Mention” in the organization category went to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival which has been offering culturally diverse entertainment and activities for kids since 1978. Councillor Ball & Commissioner International Women’s Day The United Nations has proclaimed March 8th of every year to recognize the struggle of women all over the globe for equity and fair practices. For many years, to mark the day, the City has held an event and focused on relevant issues that speak to the betterment and achievement of women. On Thursday, March 6th 2008, the City celebrated the Women’s International Day. The theme for International Women’s Day this year was Women in Sport: Inspiration and Achievement, keynote by Carla Qualtrough. To mark the day, we were joined by a number of women of athletes who represented both the pinnacle of athletic achievement, as well as the personification of the inspiration and energy that is the key ingredient to success in any field of endeavour. Several inspiring and delightful presentations were made by (1) Shawn Marsolais & Courtney Knight, two paralympic athletes from BC Blind Sports, who scaled insurmountable personal and physical barriers and difficulties to reach the pinnacle of success; (2) Virginia Johnston & Nadia Joe from First Nations Snowboard Team; and (3) Girl’s Soccer team from Point Grey Secondary School, who chose to spend their Spring Break helping young girls in Mayor Sullivan presenting the proclamation Uganda to participate in sports. Raising money through donations for equipment for Ugandan girls, they epitomize the ideals for rest of the youth to emulate. Each of the presenters personified the spirit of those women who laid the groundwork, and made it possible for all of us to pursue our dreams. International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid “pass laws”. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. Every year, the City commemorates the day by holding a special event. This year, the event was held on March 19th 2008, where Mayor Sam Sullivan issued a proclamation to mark the day. The keynote speaker was Wally Oppal, BC’s Attorney General and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism. Two community projects were profiled; Collingwood Neighbourhood House by Paula Carr, Executive Director and the Safe Harbour Program, in which The Centre for Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered and Bisexual was highlighted by Jennifer Breakspear, Interim Executive Director. Susan Mundick, General Manager, Parks & Recreation reported on the City’s Diversity Initiatives. The event was closed by local poet Vanessa Richards reading her poem “Most Exquisite Human Bloom”. Harriet Cook (Musqueam Nation) and The Honourable Wally Oppal City of Vancouver 3 What is “The 10 By 10 Challenge?” The “10 By 10 Challenge” is an initiative of the BC Government’s Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance, and specifically, the Minister’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities. “10 By 10,” as it is commonly called, is a challenge from the Ministry and Minister’s Council, to all BC communities and industry sectors, to increase their employment of persons with disabilities by 10%, by the year 2010. Who is involved? Currently, some communities and 17 corporations have joined. What is Vancouver Doing? For example: • The City has created a source of internal funding to provide support for new recruits with disabilities with assistive devices, or other supports; • We have updated our outreach to community organizations that assist those seeking employment: our postings are circulated to over 130 community organizations; • The City has a presence on the Provincial “WorkAble Solutions” project and website; • We are developing a workshop on best practices in the recruitment and retention of persons with disabilities. 010 Other initiatives include: developing marketing tools that ensure we advertise employment opportunities in a broad spectrum of available media; measures to address systemic barriers; recognizing and celebrating the importance of accessibility and inclusion in City events and awards calendar, and others. What Are Our Goals? To employ 10% more individuals with disabilities, by 2010; to continue identifying opportunities for improvement; to continue connecting with the community – and continue improving our practices and knowledge into the future. Ultimately, 10 By 10 is about inspiring communities to examine their practices and identify areas where they can improve their recruitment and retention of persons with disabilities. If you would like more information about 10 By 10, please call EEO at 604.873.7786. 10 x 10 = 2 DIVERSITY as OPPORTUNITY “We don‛t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” ~ Anais Ninn The value of diversity is often underappreciated in our daily living. We encounter it every day interacting with friends and family as age, occupation, or gender, among other characteristics. Unlike popular perception, diversity includes all of us — not just those who are under-represented in the workforce or in certain occupational categories. Diversity includes all the ways in which we differ, including: age, physical and mental ability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, religion, gender identity, economic status, and national origin. As we recognize and value these differences and similarities in each other, we are able to foster a more welcoming, productive and inclusive workplace. And not surprisingly, research has revealed that people work best when they feel valued and respected. As a result, when individual and group differences are respected and valued, they also add value to the organization as a whole. While embracing diversity can be challenging, sometimes requiring us to step outside our comfort zone, it also invites us to see the limitless potential for individual and organizational growth. For example, I now have the opportunity to work with a diverse team of women and men in the EEO/ Hastings Office. Our range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences enriches our ability to address increasingly complex tasks in our work. Although we have a shared mission and vision, it‛s actually the differences and similarities in our experience and perspective which makes our work dynamic, productive and always interesting. ~~ by Parker Johnson The new EEO information card is now produced in 5 languages: English, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi and Tagalog. The web versions will soon be available. May 1-7: NOW AVAILABLE EVENTS Youth Week May 4-10: North American Occupational Health and Safety Week May 5: May 10: Fit City - Minds at Work Health Fair Engineering Services Family Day June 1-7: National Access Awareness Week June 21: June 26: National Aboriginal Day Diversity Day City of Vancouver