The federal government's Vision Awards
Since 1990, the federal government has formally recognized federally regulated companies for achievements in implementing employment equity.
This year’s Vision Awards, presented for outstanding approaches to the implementation of equity and diversity in the workplace, were given to Pelmorex Inc. and IBM Canada.
Results from a 2002 employee survey at Pelmorex, the company that runs the Weather Network, showed more than 90 per cent of employees feel the company highly values equity. Pelmorex offers training on non-discriminatory interviewing techniques, integrating new employees into the workplace and accommodation strategies. Annual bonuses for managers are tied to promoting equity. (For more on diversity at Pelmorex, click on the related articles link below.)
IBM Canada has an active diversity council which discusses diversity-related issues and offers presentations on cultural differences, misconceptions and stereotypes. Through its Canadian Women’s Leadership Council women executives become active in the development of high-potential women in the organization. A similar body was created in 2002 to increase development opportunities for visible minorities.
Certificates of merit were also presented to Shell Canada, Yanke Group of Companies and the University of British Columbia.
Shell Canada provides diversity awareness training for all 4,000 employees. In 2001 the company hired a full-time diversity advisor and developed a diversity gap analysis to identify problem areas.
Saskatoon-based trucking company Yanke Group partners with community organizations to facilitate the hiring of people with disabilities and Aboriginal peoples. The company also created employment equity benchmarks which are reviewed quarterly.
The University of British Columbia’s equity plan includes monitoring and accountability mechanisms for evaluation. It installed ramps, elevators and special equipment after an employee survey showed 150 faculty have some form of disability.
This year’s Vision Awards, presented for outstanding approaches to the implementation of equity and diversity in the workplace, were given to Pelmorex Inc. and IBM Canada.
Results from a 2002 employee survey at Pelmorex, the company that runs the Weather Network, showed more than 90 per cent of employees feel the company highly values equity. Pelmorex offers training on non-discriminatory interviewing techniques, integrating new employees into the workplace and accommodation strategies. Annual bonuses for managers are tied to promoting equity. (For more on diversity at Pelmorex, click on the related articles link below.)
IBM Canada has an active diversity council which discusses diversity-related issues and offers presentations on cultural differences, misconceptions and stereotypes. Through its Canadian Women’s Leadership Council women executives become active in the development of high-potential women in the organization. A similar body was created in 2002 to increase development opportunities for visible minorities.
Certificates of merit were also presented to Shell Canada, Yanke Group of Companies and the University of British Columbia.
Shell Canada provides diversity awareness training for all 4,000 employees. In 2001 the company hired a full-time diversity advisor and developed a diversity gap analysis to identify problem areas.
Saskatoon-based trucking company Yanke Group partners with community organizations to facilitate the hiring of people with disabilities and Aboriginal peoples. The company also created employment equity benchmarks which are reviewed quarterly.
The University of British Columbia’s equity plan includes monitoring and accountability mechanisms for evaluation. It installed ramps, elevators and special equipment after an employee survey showed 150 faculty have some form of disability.
