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Industry, local businesses and social profit organizations encouraged to join the Municipality and make a commitment to equity and inclusion
The Municipality has strengthened its commitment to equity and inclusion by becoming a signatory to the Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter. The Charter is a toolkit that helps employers build more equitable and inclusive workplaces through the declaration of principles and the adoption of specific commitments.
Industry, local businesses and social profit organizations invited to launch event
The Workplace Inclusion Charter will be introduced on Sept. 25 at the Fort McMurray Golf Club. Industry, local businesses, social profit organizations, and others are encouraged to join to learn more.
“The municipality is aiming to foster more spaces of belonging, collaboration and respect, where all current and future employees, regardless of their social identity can thrive, feel seen and valued,” said Deanne Bergey, director, Community and Protective Services.
Visit rmwb.ca/WIC to register to attend the launch. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.
Municipality’s commitments under the Charter
There are various levels of commitments listed in the Charter. The Municipality is committed to achieving the Gold Inclusion Champion level which entails providing additional training, developing new policies and guidelines, enhancing human resources processes, providing additional supports to staff and creating more inclusive spaces.
As the Municipality progresses towards the Gold Inclusion Champion level, municipal employees will benefit from additional training to better understand the needs of diverse clientele and staff, Employee Resource Groups and a mentorship program for under-represented groups.
Benefits for businesses and organizations
The Charter commitments are based on local and national research and on best practices in fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Developed through collaboration with local and provincial social profit organizations, the Charter commitments are flexible and can be adopted by businesses of all sizes.
Prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion has been shown to have positive benefits for organizational reputation, staff retention, talent attraction, innovation and more!
Support available for organizations signing on to the Charter
The Charter toolkit is offered at no cost. The Municipality was awarded $158,450 under the Women’s Economic Recovery Challenge grant from the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation to recruit two temporary Workplace Equity and Inclusion Coaches who will support businesses and organizations that join the effort.
The Municipality has also partnered with the Wood Buffalo Local Immigration Partnership, the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce and the Fort McMurray Economic Development and Tourism to support and recognize local employers.
To learn more, and to register to attend the launch of the Wood Buffalo Workplace Inclusion Charter, please visit rmwb.ca/WIC. For questions, please call Pulse at 780-743-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-973-9663.
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