HWDSB Trustees Approve Employment Equity Action Plan
Media Release
Hamilton, Ontario – December 15, 2020: Delivering on a key piece of the Equity Action Plan, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) Trustees have approved a plan to implement recommendations from the recent Employment Equity Audit.
In 2019, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) launched its three-year Equity Action Plan with the goal of intentionally identifying and addressing inequities and discriminatory practices at the systems, school and classroom levels.
As part of this plan, in April 2019, HWDSB conducted a staff census. In response to the diversity gaps identified in the staff census report, HWDSB contracted Turner Consulting Group Inc. in May 2019 to conduct an Employment Equity Audit. An Employment Equity Audit informs an organization about what is working well and what requires improvement to build on its strengths and to remove identified barriers.
The HWDSB Employment Equity Audit Final Report identified issues and gaps in four key priority areas, which will inform the work ahead.
- Priority 1: Diversify the workforce at all levels.
- Priority 2: Create a more inclusive and respectful work environment.
- Priority 3: Create more equitable policies and practices.
- Priority 4: Strengthen the organization’s equity infrastructure.
To bring the 70 recommendations to life, staff in Human Resources and Human Rights, Equity and Well-being developed an Employment Equity Action Plan with clear timelines for implementation from January 2021 to June 2022. You can find all documents at www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/equity.
Quotes:
“I want to thank everyone who supported the Employment Equity Audit and the action plan, which will drive progress in HWDSB’s human resources practices and work environments, so that we have a more diverse workforce, equitable policies and practices, and an inclusive setting for all staff,” said Board Chair Dawn Danko.
“The audit and action plan are important milestones as we seek to embed equity and inclusion throughout our organization. We know that systemic change is critical, and we are prepared to challenge the status quo so that our staff reflects the identity and lived experiences of the changing Hamilton community that we serve,” said Manny Figueiredo, Director of Education.
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Media Contact:
Shawn McKillop, APR
Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
905.515.6227 | [email protected]
Updated on Friday, September 24, 2021.