This November marks five years of Inclusive Kind – five years of partnering with dozens of organizations across Canada and the globe that want to make their workplaces fairer, more inclusive, and more human. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of working with leaders and teams across sectors, each bringing unique starting points, challenges, and ambitions, but all united …
Mental Health Belongs in the DEI Conversation– Here’s Why
In offices across Canada, DEI and mental health initiatives remain present. Perhaps there are posters that share inclusion as an organizational value. Or company reports boasting representation. Hiring strategies revamped, trainings rolled out, awareness days observed—you name it. On paper, everything looks great. But beneath the surface, something feels off. Employees are logging into Zoom, meeting their deadlines, nodding through …
DEI Fatigue Is Real. Here’s How to Keep Moving Forward Anyway.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been at the forefront of many organizations’ priorities over the past few years – and for good reason. From addressing systemic gaps to creating more welcoming workplaces for all, this work has sparked important change. But, alongside that progress, something else is bubbling up under the surface: DEI fatigue. It might look like hesitation to …
From Pay Gaps to Pay Clarity: Ontario’s New Rules are Fostering Workplace Fairness
Ontario is stepping into a new era, fostering workplace fairness with a series of legislative changes aimed at boosting pay transparency and accountability. The Working for Workers Four Act, 2024 and the Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 are reshaping hiring practices across the province. These updates to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 are designed to promote equity, reduce wage …
An Inclusive December: Celebrating the Season Mindfully
December is typically a time of twinkling lights, shared meals, and festive gatherings, but it’s also so much more than just a month of holidays. Rich with cultural and religious observances, December highlights the diversity that makes our workplaces dynamic and vibrant. While Christmas and Hanukkah may be the most widely recognized holidays amongst many, this month also brings celebrations …
Why Not-for-Profits are Leading the DEI Charge in Canada
As the conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) faces challenges in certain regions, particularly in the United States, many Canadian organizations are continuing to prioritize this critical work. However, what is particularly fascinating about this momentum is that it’s not the large corporate players taking the lead, but not-for-profits. Despite having fewer financial resources, these organizations are doubling down …
Rethinking Land Acknowledgements: Making Words Matter
Picture this: you walk into a workshop that your company is running, and the facilitator begins with a land acknowledgement. The facilitator whizzes through the acknowledgement, and you can barely remember the names mentioned. Anyway, it’s been a long week, and your mind is elsewhere. As the workshop progresses, Indigenous topics never come up again. You’re left wondering: what was …
What’s Inclusive Leadership All About?
Inclusive leadership is more than just a buzzword—it’s a critical approach to creating workplaces where every employee feels valued and empowered. Read on to explore what it means to be an inclusive leader, and to discover the building blocks of how you can cultivate an environment that embraces diversity and fosters growth, so that all your team members can thrive. …
Stonewall’s Legacy: The Birth of the Pride Parade
This article is excerpted from our DEI eModule Trans 101: Allyship Through Education, developed in Partnership with TransNewYork, in recognition of Pride Season. The 1960s and preceding decades were largely not welcoming for LGBTQ2S+ folks in North America. For example, same-sex relations were criminalized through anti-sodomy laws at the time in New York City. Trans people, drag queens, and cross …
Navigating the Path to Inclusion: Lessons Learned Since May 2020
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, a seismic shift occurred in the corporate world’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Many organizations, spurred by a collective call to action, embarked on a journey to transform into more inclusive, anti-racist entities. This initial surge of commitment often manifested through the formation of ad hoc working groups …