Employment Equity at Humber College
"It is not that individuals in the designated groups are inherently unable to achieve equality on their own, it is that the obstacles in their way are so formidable and self-perpetuating that they cannot be overcome without intervention. It is both intolerable and insensitive if we simply wait and hope that the barriers will disappear with time. Equality in employment will not happen unless we make it happen." - Judge Rosalie Silberman Abella Royal Commission on Equality in Employment, 1985
Humber College is committed to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Employment Equity Act was passed in 1986. Recognizing that "systemic discrimination" was responsible for most of the inequality found in employment, the Abella Royal Commission on Equality in Employment outlined a systemic response and chose the term "Employment Equity" to describe the process.
What is Employment Equity?
Employment Equity is an on-going planning process used by an employer to:
- identify and eliminate barriers in an organization's employment policies and procedures;
- put into place positive policies and practices to ensure the effects of systemic barriers are eliminated; and
- ensure appropriate representation of identified group members throughout their workforce.
What is the goal of Employment Equity?
- eliminate employment barriers for members of equity-seeking groups: Women, Persons with Disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and Racialized Persons. In addition to these four groups, Humber invites employees to respond to questions pertaining to Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation;
- remedy past discrimination in employment opportunities and prevent future barriers;
- improve access and distribution throughout all occupations and at all levels for members of the identified groups; and
- foster a climate of equity and inclusion in the organization.
Humber College complies voluntarily with the Employment Equity Act under the Federal Contractors Program.
Please visit the Centre website for more information about Humber’s Employment Equity Program.
