Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Introduction to the Program 
Laura Williams LL.B, CSP, Williams HR Law LLP, Program Director  

The Legal Framework (9:15 a.m. ET)

• Human Rights Code  
• Workplace Harassment  
• Pay Equity   

Ozlem Yucel, Turnpenney Milne LLP

Recognizing and Tackling Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Indigenous Racism in the Workplace: Panel Discussion (11:30 a.m. ET)

Panelists 
Carey Calder, Founder & Principal, Nakanagis Inc.
Dr. Notisha Massaquoi, Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto  

Moderator
Laura Williams, LL.B., CSP, Williams HR Law LLP, Program Director

Intersectionality (1:30 p.m. ET)
Leanne Foster, PhD, OCT, University of Toronto Schools

Making the Business Case for EDI – Driving Progress and Delivering Through Diversity (3:00 p.m. ET)
Ingrid Wilson, Founder and Principal, GridFern Strategic HR

Reflections on Day 1 (4:15 p.m. ET)
Laura Williams LL.B, CSP, Williams HR Law LLP, Program Director

Measure What You Do, Do What You Measure – Conducting Effective Equity Audits (9:00 a.m. ET)
Michelle Grocholsky, CEO & Founder, Empowered EDI  

• Examination of written employment policies/procedures 
• Reviewing equity related data  
• Conducting employee surveys and/or focus groups 
• Analyzing equity related data – human rights complaints, harassment complaints  
• Consulting with senior leaders, human resources, and union representatives 
• Identifying barriers 
• Developing recommendations  

Transforming the Hiring Process for Enhanced Representation (11:30 a.m. ET)
Jason Murray, President and Managing Partner at BIPOC Executive Search

Workplace investigations – Investigating Allegations of Racism, Systemic Racism, Prejudice and Bias in the Workplace (1:30 p.m. ET)
Aleksandra Pressey, Williams HR Law LLP  

• What type of evidence is required? 
• Complexities in assessing credibility and reliability of evidence  
• Identifying/defining microaggressions 
• Examples of systemic discrimination and harassment, stereotyping and racial profiling  
• Unconscious/implicit bias
• The importance of a trauma informed approach  

Case Study – Investigating Allegations of Racism, Systemic Racism, Prejudice and Bias in the Workplace  (3:15 p.m. ET)
Aleksandra Pressey, Williams HR Law LLP 

Creating an Inclusive Workplace for Employees with Disabilities – An Overview (9:00 a.m. ET)
Lorin MacDonald, HearVue Inc., Disability & Accessibility Subject Matter Expert
Wade Poziomka, Ross & McBride LLP; First Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, ARCH Disability Law Centre 

• What is an inclusive environment?  
•  Facts and figures – the business case for creating an inclusive environment for employees with disabilities 
• Relevant provisions in the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act 2005 
• Recruitment, interviewing and assessment  
• Informing employees of supports; accessible formats and communication supports  
• The accommodation process – a collaborative approach  
• The return-to-work process  
• Performance management/career development and redeployment

Neurodiversity (11:15 a.m. ET)
Sharon Naipaul, Strategic Workplace Equity & Conflict Resolution Solutions

Duty to Accommodate: Hands-On Workshop (1:30 p.m. ET)
In this hands-on workshop session featuring two scenarios, our facilitators will highlight common challenges facing human resource professionals, and will highlight the governing legal principles, best practices to adopt and how to avoid common pitfalls that may arise in the accommodation process.   

Workshop Facilitators
Lorin MacDonald, HearVue Inc., Disability & Accessibility Subject Matter Expert
Wade Poziomka, Ross & McBride LLP; First Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, ARCH Disability Law Centre
Sharon Naipaul, Strategic Workplace Equity & Conflict Resolution Solutions 

Identifying and Overcoming the Resistance Backlash: Practical Strategies and Critical Considerations (9:00 a.m. ET)
In this session you will explore what are effective strategies for managing resistance to EDI. These include making the business case, understanding what causes and motivates resistant behaviours, and how to anticipate and pre-empt resistance when formulating and rolling out EDI initiatives. 
Laura Williams LL.B, CSP, Williams HR Law LLP, Program Director

The Crucial Role of Leadership – Understanding Workplace Culture (and the Responsibility for Shaping it) and Talking Truth to Power  (10:45 a.m. ET)
Olivia Nuamah, National Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging Leader, PwC Canada

Ways to Continue to Progress EDI Initiatives – Our Experts Share Their Experiences (1:15 p.m. ET)

Panelists 
Tina “Tee” Garnett, President & Principal Consultant, Providence International EDI Consulting 
Zoya Zayler, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Amazon Canada
Kirk Merrett, Director, Human Resources & Administration, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.  

Moderator
Laura Williams LL.B, CSP, Williams HR Law LLP, Program Director

How to be a Champion – Emphasizing a Holistic Approach to the Subject Matter and Practical Solutions to Get There (3:00 p.m. ET)
For the final session, our Advisory Board look at ways human resource professionals can continue to keep moving the needle in the right direction, how to be a champion and how to avoid burnout.    

Panelists
Carey Calder, Founder & Principal, Nakanagis Inc.
Wade Poziomka, Ross & McBride LLP; First Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, ARCH Disability Law Centre
Michelle Grocholsky, CEO & Founder, Empowered Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Consultants
Jason Murray, President and Managing Partner at BIPOC Executive Search   

Moderator
Laura Williams LL.B, CSP, Williams HR Law LLP  

Program Wrap-Up (4:15 p.m. ET)
Laura Williams, Williams HR Law