Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter

The Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter is a voluntary no-cost employer toolkit and recognition program that supports employers in creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces for their employees and clients through a declaration of principles, a list of commitments and tools and resources to support implementation.

News release: Municipality signs on to the Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter

Online information session: Watch the Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter online information session to see how the Charter can benefit your organization. This video discuss the Charter, the requirements for signatories, supports available and more.

What is the Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter?

The Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter supports employers in creating more inclusive workplaces for their employees and their clients through:

A declaration of principles.
A list of commitments.
Tools and resources to support implementation.

The Charter commitments are based on local and national research and best practices in fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. The commitments are designed to be flexible for businesses of all sizes, simple to implement and cost effective. Support is available throughout the implementation process.

Download the Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter or read below and see how your organization, employees and clients can benefit from inclusive policies.

Sign on to the Workplace Inclusion Charter

Are you ready to commit to advancing equity and inclusion at your organization? We are excited to have you on board! Please fill out the form below to express your interest and an Inclusion Coach will be in touch to set up the initial one-on-one meeting.

Expression of Interest

Need more information? See the Workplace Inclusion Charter or read below for more details. To speak with someone about the program, please contact Pulse.

The Inclusion Advantage!

Many studies have shown the evidence of benefits that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) brings to businesses and organizations. Some of these benefits are listed below. You will find more benefits in the Workplace Inclusion Charter.

Increase innovation

Feelings of inclusion combined with organizational commitment to diversity increases innovation by 83%.

Increase profitability

Businesses that rank in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile.

Higher financial returns

Those in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 36% more likely to have higher financial returns than the average in their industry.

Enhance organizational reputation

Inclusive cultures and policies improve an organization’s reputation by 58%!

Talent acquisition

76% of job seekers look at the diversity of companies.

Employee retention

Feeling included accounts for 20% of an employee’s desire to stay at their organization.

Increase performance and decrease absences

High feelings of belonging, which are associated with feelings of inclusion, correspond with 50% less turnover, a 56% performance increase, and a 75% decrease in the use of sick days.

Improved customer service

Employees are more likely to be responsive to customer needs.

Be recognized for your efforts!

The Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter outlines a list of commitments for participating employers. Work your way through the commitments and receive recognition for each level achieved!

Recognition includes an annual news release recognizing organizations who have met set criteria and a place on RMWB website as an “Inclusion Champion”, as well as similar marketing collateral from partner organization’s websites, and a certificate formally presented by the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism and the Local Immigration Partnership during an award ceremony.

Recognition levels

The Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter includes various levels of inclusion outlining the specific commitments to achieve each level. Your organization will choose the recognition level you wish to pursue. Review each level below and work your way up through the levels with support from an Inclusion Coach.

Workplace Inclusion Signatory

Complete 2 Training Commitments
Complete 1 Policy Commitment
Complete 1 Human Resource Commitment
Complete 1 Support Commitment
Complete 1 Inclusive Space Commitment

Bronze Inclusion Champion

Complete 2 Training Commitments
Complete 2 Policy Commitments
Complete 1 Human Resource Commitment
Complete 2 Support Commitments
Complete 2 Inclusive Spaces Commitments

Silver Inclusion Champion

Complete 3 Training Commitments
Complete 4 Policy Commitments
Complete 2 Human Resource Commitments
Complete 3 Support Commitments
Complete 2 Inclusive Spaces Commitments

Gold Inclusion Champion

Complete 5 Training Commitments
Complete all 5 Policy Commitments
Complete all 4 Human Resource Commitments
Complete all 4 Support Commitments
Complete all 3 Inclusive Spaces Commitments

Commitments

The following commitments will help you become an Inclusion Champion!

Training and Education

Cultural Awareness: At least 15% of staff will receive Cultural Awareness training.
2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion Training: At least 15% of staff will receive 2SLGBTQ+ Awareness training.
Indigenous Awareness Training: At least 15 % of staff will receive Indigenous Awareness Training, or Truth and Reconciliation Workshops or Blanket Exercise.
Accessibility and Age-Friendly Awareness: At least 15% of staff will receive Accessibility Training or Age-Friendly Workplace Training.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace: At least 15% of staff will receive Neurodiversity in the Workplace Training.
Poverty Simulation: At least 15% of staff will take a Poverty Simulation Exercises.
Addressing Domestic Violence as a Workplace Hazard: Local educational resource is shared with all staff and at least 15% of staff will receive training to recognize the signs of gender-based violence.
Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: One Human Resources and one Leadership representatives to be trained or take Workplace Sexual Harassment Training.
Islamic Cultural Awareness: At least 15% of staff will receive Cultural Awareness training.

Inclusive Spaces

Quiet Room: A space for meditation and prayer is provided for employees up to the point of undue hardship.
Accessibility Checks: Complete an accessibility inspection and create an action plan to address the findings. Complete monthly inspections of all accessibility features.
Inclusive Washrooms: All washrooms regardless of gender designation are equipped with hygiene disposal units and change tables (only required for public washrooms). Single-stall washrooms are available whenever operationally possible and are gender neutral.

Human Resources

Inclusive Job Postings: Job postings refrain from requiring non-essential qualifications or information about the country in which work experience was gained, use gender neutral and inclusive language and encourage candidates with disabilities to apply for the job.
Job Posting Diverse Channel Dispersion: Use different job boards to attract diverse talent, and build partnerships with community organizations that offer employment support services or that can disseminate the job opportunity with their clients.
Complaint Procedure: Implement a complaint procedure for addressing violence, harassment and discrimination that allows for bypassing immediate supervisors.
Inclusive Hiring Panels: Individuals sitting on hiring panels complete unconscious bias training, and whenever operationally possible, the interview panel to include individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, personalities, and ideas.

Policies and Guidelines

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Complaint Procedure: Implement a policy outlining the protected grounds is implemented.
Inclusive Washroom Policy: Policy that outlines the rights of individuals to use the washroom that best corresponds to their gender identity or gender expression.
Breastfeeding Policies: Implement policies that outline the right to breastfeed while accessing services, and that support breastfeeding during work hours.
Inclusive Forms: All forms are easy to read, use simplified language, refrain from requesting non-essential information, and use gender-neutral language.
Diverse Representation Guidelines: Outline guidelines for diverse representation in visual marketing and promotion.

Supports

Onboarding: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organizational values , resources, and trainings available are communicated to new hires.
Employee Resource Groups: Staff are made aware of the benefits of forming employee resource groups (ERGs) and are supported in doing so.
Discounts: Prices for services offered to the public include a sliding scale or discount for seniors, youth, and those living in poverty.
Mentorship: Mentorship and/or apprenticeship opportunities are available for underrepresented groups such as youth, women, Indigenous peoples, etc.

Training Connections

There are many training opportunities available locally or online at low cost and some free of charge. Check out the list below and connect with the organization directly to offer the training to your teams.

Indigenous Cultural Inclusion Training

Pawâmiw Creative

Location: Fort McMurray
jes@pawamiwcreative.ca

Cultural Sensitivity Workshops

Nisto Consulting
Location: Fort McMurray
holly.fortier@shaw.ca

Missing, Murder & Exploited Indigenous Peoples

Stephanie Harpe

Location: Fort McMurray
steph_harpe@yahoo.ca

Indigenous Learning Series

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Location: Online

Indigenous Canada

University of Alberta

Location: Online

2SLGBTQ+ Awareness training

Pride YMM
Location: Fort McMurray
info@prideymm.com

Islamic Cultural Awareness Training

Markaz Ul Islam

Location: Fort McMurray
amurad@markazlislam.com

Islamic Awareness Training: Fort McMurray Public School Board

Location: Fort McMurray
islamicawarenesstraining@gmail.com

Cultural Awareness Training

Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo
Location: Fort McMurray
www.mcawb.org

Accessibility & Age-Friendly Awareness

St. Aidan’s Society: Age Sensitivity Training
Location: Fort McMurray
staidanssociety.ca

Poverty Simulation

Make the Month: Wood Buffalo Poverty Reduction Network
Location: Online

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Autism Society of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo: Education Inclusion Program
Location: Fort McMurray
community@autismrmwb.org

Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Location: online (free and self-paced)

Addressing Domestic Violence as a Workplace Hazard

Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters
Location: online

Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Waypoints
Training will be provided as part of the HR Workshop Series for HR and Leadership representatives signatories.

Support for participating organizations

Once you have signed on to the Workplace Inclusion Charter, you will have access to an Inclusion Coach who will guide you throughout the different stages of the WIC implementation process. This includes:

An optional online self-assessment to identify needs related to diversity, equity and inclusion based on the charter commitments.
A one-on-one interview to identify priorities, needs and capacity to help you choose commitments for your business to implement by the end of the 2024 Charter commitment period.
Free workshop series for HR professionals and leadership responsible to implement the commitments, access to free resources and more.

Thank you to our partners!

The 2023 Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter is a community initiative made possible with the support of the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund, as well as partner organizations and community groups.

Proudly supported by: Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership, Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce, Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism, Newcomer Interagency Network, Alberta Human Rights Commission, Waypoints, the Autism Society of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, St. Aidan’s Society, PRIDE YMM, Coalitions Creating Equity, Poverty Reduction Network, Regional Advisory Committee on Inclusion Diversity and Equity, Advisory Committee on Aging, Regional Inclusive Committee, Northern Alberta Development Council, Fort McMurray Public School Board.