University of Alberta
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The University of Alberta has an Employment Equity Advisory Committee and an Employment Equity Program administered by the employment equity advisor (full-time) and the employment equity assistant (part-time). The employment equity advisor offers coaching, consulting, and formal learning opportunities to explore ways to encourage more applications from qualified diverse candidates. The identification and removal of barriers that prevent the full participation of faculty and staff once they are at the university is also a key consideration in achieving equity in employment. In addition to workshops and information sessions on valuing and managing diversity in the workplace that the Equity Program offers, assistance with individual situations is provided by a number of units across the institution such as: -The Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights http://www.osdhr.ualberta.ca/en/About%20Us.aspx -Health Promotion and WorkLife Services http://www.hrs.ualberta.ca/HPaWS.aspx -Human Resource Consulting Services http://www.hrs.ualberta.ca/HRConsulting.aspx -The Institute for Sexual Minorities Studies and Services http://www.ismss.ualberta.ca/ -Specialized Support and Disability Services http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/SSDS -The university architect is working on standardizing physical accessibility – universal access - The Employment Equity Advisory Committee "will provide input and guidance with the redesign, implementation, and maintenance of the University of Alberta Employment Equity Program. The Program will continue to focus on facilitating the university’s ability to recruit, retain, and promote members of equity seeking groups (including but not limited to women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, and persons with disabilities)" (excerpt from Terms of Reference) - The university became a signatory to the Federal Contractors Program in 1987 and has had an equity plan since 1994. The Federal Contractors Program's mandate is to support workplace equity for women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities

Membership: Chris Cheeseman (Chair), Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Human Resources) Catherine Anley, Employment Equity Advisor Wade King, Safe Disclosure and Human Rights Advisor Bill Isley, Manager, Staff Learning and Development Teddi Doupe, Associate Director, Specialized Support and Disability Services Katy Campbell (Dean/Department Chair), Dean, Faculty of Extension Malinda Smith (AASUA representative), Associate Professor, Department of Political Science Lynda Vivier (NASA representative), Administrative Assistant, Faculty of Education Ethel Gardner (faculty member at large), Associate Professor Department of Elementary Education Lori Cinq-Mars (support staff member at large), Central Registry Supervisor, Registrar and Student Awards

The Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights (OSDHR) is available to students and staff wishing to report any concerns about how university policies, procedures, or ethical standards are being applied. Individuals who access the OSDHR can expect a safe, neutral, and confidential process focused on resolving issues brought forward. Available by walk-in or appointment, the advisor provides a space to discuss concerns and provides advice to clients without fear of negative repercussions. Clients will be referred properly based on their desired course of action. Through their work the OSDHR contributes to a diverse and equitable campus where everyone, including traditionally marginalized individuals, has space to voice their concerns, learn what options are available, and choose the course of action they are interested in. The OHDSR also operates in an educational capacity to raise awareness of human rights and encourage positive behavioural changes. This includes delivering presentations to increase student/staff awareness of the Office, making it accessible as a service. It also provides workshops or individual coaching sessions focusing on healthy and fair work and learning environments. Workshops are delivered to any interested audience; examples include new staff orientation, union leaders, deans, and residence life. In combination with the supports provided all of this work increases institutional capacity and works towards a fair, inclusive and healthy work and learning environment on campus.

Catherine Anley, employment equity advisor, provides advice to administrators and supervisors on fair and equitable hiring practices and offers training sessions on equity and diversity in recruitment. The focus of these sessions is on helping recruiters become familiar with human rights and employment equity considerations to help them meet the challenge of fairly choosing new employees and to avoid legal liabilities. The employment equity advisor also manages the reporting of the university’s compliance with the Federal Contractors Program; oversees the administration of the Employment Equity Census Questionnaire; manages the collection and maintenance of employee equity data; and leads the development of statistical reports.

Responsible Party Information: OFFICE OF SAFE DISCLOSURE AND HUMAN RIGHTS Name: Wade King Department: Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights Position: Advisor