Building A Reputation

How to build a reputation as an inclusive employer

An "inclusive employer" is one that is known to welcome and knows how to recognize talent drawn from non-traditional sources:

• Hire someone who represents a different culture or background, their presence in the workplace shows others that the organization values different backgrounds (values diversity).
• Provide summer, part time employment to local youth, an Aboriginal person, one with a disability, an immigrant youth or older worker.
• Support minority-owned suppliers to your business.
• Provide a scholarship at a local college/university for minority youth and name it for your Company.
• Support an immigrant-serving agency either financially, with your time or encourage one of your employees to volunteer.
• Offer work experience or mentorship for youth, new immigrants, an Aboriginal person or someone with a disability, i.e. perhaps by hiring a mature worker or contracting a recently retired employee.
• Partner with a high school, college or public service organization to help serve minority communities, youth at risk or Aboriginal youth.
• If people are shown in your advertising or on your website, ensure all are not young and white.

These strategies will not only demonstrate to the community and customers that the Company is a good corporate citizen and it welcomes all people, regardless of background, they will expose employees to diversity and teach them how to interact with and serve people of all backgrounds.