DEI Helps Everyone. Yes, Even Straight, White Men.
I still remember this white male CEO from Newfoundland who shared with me that because of his “Newfie” accent he is treated like “the dumbest guy” at the table when he meets his peers in Toronto.
And he feels he has had to work twice as hard to prove that he is as competent as someone from Ontario.
We talked about how accent bias contributes to unfair hiring practices and lack of inclusion in the workplace and how we could use bias training for recruiters and HR managers as one tool to address this.
It is just another example of how DEI is conflated with “unfair advantages” for Black people (and others) but in reality there are MANY benefits for EVERYONE.
I fear people will only understand this point once it is too late, and all of the equity that workplaces have fought for has been clawed back.
DEI is the reason new moms can have access to a lactation room instead of pumping milk in a dusty storage closet.
DEI is the reason people of all faiths can step away from their desk and have a space to pray.
DEI is the reason every corporate event must have vegan, kosher and halal options.
DEI is the reason that neurodivergence in the workplace is being accommodated.
DEI is the reason you can sue an employer if they refuse to reasonably accommodate your disability.
DEI is the reason you can still advocate to work from home even though the pandemic is over.
Thank you to the entire crew at CTV Your Morning for hosting me.
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