Employment Systems Review to begin

With the March workforce survey of employees finalized (Gazette, March 9/06), the Employment Equity Office is moving forward with an evaluation of the University’s policies and practices as the next step of the compliance review initiated by the federal government. “When the survey was completed,” explains Geneviève Laurence, employment equity officer for the University, “we determined where there is under-representation of the four designated groups--Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities and women. Our next step is to conduct an Employment Systems Review (ESR).” An ESR involves looking at the policies and procedures that address hiring, recruitment, promotion, termination, accommodations, training and development, with the goal of ensuring that they are fair and bias-free. This includes looking at consistency to examine if they conform to applicable human rights and employment law.

“Employees can get involved by participating in one of the focus groups that will be held on August 21 and 23. They can complete a questionnaire that will be provided upon request. They may also put forward their ideas or concerns through the employment equity advisory committee members,” says Laurence. The objective of the ESR is to make recommendations for removing barriers for all employees—including designated group members—while preserving a system for hiring, promotion and training opportunities that meets the University’s requirement for a competitive workforce.