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I saw a post online some time ago that said (paraphrased): “Communication can be so strange. You can say: ‘I like waffles,’ and someone will respond, ‘Why do you hate pancakes?’” I have been reminded of this post several times as I encounter people who seem to be speaking at cross-purposes in various discussions about the current diversity, equity, & inclusion backlash.
La période est difficile pour toute personne œuvrant dans le domaine des droits de la personne, comme dans notre cas. Les programmes en équité, diversité et inclusion (EDI) font l’objet de vives attaques et sont en voie de démantèlement, du moins chez nos voisins du Sud, tant dans le secteur public que privé. Et il serait naïf de croire que le Canada est à l’abri de cette tendance.
Bien que nous soyons surtout reconnus pour la conduite et le soutien d’enquêtes ainsi que pour la formation en matière d’enquête, ce qui nous passionne avant tout, chez Rubin Thomlinson, d’améliorer la culture en milieu de travail. L’un des moyens d’y parvenir est d’offrir de la formation sur le respect en milieu de travail (FRMT). Bien que souvent perçues à tort comme de simples formations sur le harcèlement et la discrimination, la FRMT englobe en réalité toute « formation qui apportera [aux travailleurs] l’information suffisante pour favoriser un milieu de travail respectueux »
My colleague Liliane Gingras recently wrote a blog titled, “The dismantling of DEI programs: A lawyer’s response.” In that blog, Liliane discussed her concerns regarding the current DEI backlash. Specifically, she expressed concern that some may believe that the absence of a DEI program in the workplace may mean that legal protection from discrimination disappears, which is not the case.
It is a difficult time for anyone who works in the human rights space, like we do at Rubin Thomlinson LLP. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are severely under attack and are being dismantled, at least south of the Canadian border, in the public and private sectors. I fear that Canada is not far behind.
While we are probably best known for conducting and supporting investigations and providing investigation training, our firm’s passion is elevating workplace culture overall. One of the ways we do that is by facilitating Respectful Workplace Training (RWT) – while often narrowly viewed as harassment and discrimination training, RWT more broadly refers to any “training that will provide [workers] with information intended to help foster a respectful workplace.”
In recent years, we have seen important shifts in how employers are working to prevent and address harassment, discrimination, and violence in the workplace. As part of their efforts, employers are increasingly implementing training on these topics as a proactive measure.
Investigators typically follow the same process in every investigation. We gather evidence, usually through interviews, we use that evidence to make factual findings, and we analyse those findings to determine whether a breach of policy has occurred.
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