Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Letter on Implementation of the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion

Summer 2021 update

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), as a departmental corporation of the Government of Canada under the Financial Administration Act, fully supports the call to action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the federal public service.  This letter describes how CCOHS has responded to the call by:

• focusing on concrete actions and the outcomes observed to date.
• applying an intersectional lens, considering the interconnected dimensions of identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, and physical or mental ability).
• seeking out a diversity of perspectives, including from managers, employee communities and networks, departmental champions, and human resources officials.

This letter is a reflection of our efforts to date, outcomes, and areas for further opportunity. Where possible, we have included any additional information, data, metrics, and/or case studies that further demonstrate our progress in implementing the Call to Action or that could inform the work of others.

Actions

CCOHS is developing a framework for inclusion and diversity that will include recruitment strategies focused on social, racial, gender and cultural diversity in the workplace. The diversity recruitment strategies will promote equity and diversity and focus on an intentional approach for job postings which will assist in the advancement of anti-racism, equity, and inclusion at the Centre.

CCOHS has conducted leadership and organizational diversity and inclusion training at the executive level of the organization.

Measurement and results

CCOHS measures its progress through employee self-identification for information on representation. The information provides CCOHS executive with a perspective on gaps that require attention and action to advance representation specifically in leadership roles.

Challenges and barriers

The pandemic resulted in the Centre’s leadership to first focus on supporting remote work for our employees. In addition, as an agency with limited resources, priorities were placed on meeting the urgent whole-of-government response to the pandemic and resulting requests for guidance from clients across Canada. In addition, there is a requirement for more education on equity, diversity, and inclusion which the human resources department is developing.

Employee response

As part of the framework, employee surveys will be used to provide the leadership with information which will  guide the CCOHS’s Call to Action activities.

Momentum

Over the coming year the human resources department’s main priority is to conduct an employment systems review, which will include an identification of major gaps in representation, and aid in the formation of an employment equity, inclusion, and anti-racism action plan. The plan will address barriers within CCOHS’s employment policies and practices, attitudes, personal bias, and organizational culture.

Data annex

The table below demonstrates the total number of CCOHS employees, and total number of those belonging to the designated groups, as of July 2021.

In the 2020-2021 fiscal year, 75% of CCOHS new hires (15 of 20 newly hired employees) were from the following designated groups:

• Women (65% , or 13 of 20 new of hires)
• Visible Minorities (35%, or 7 of 20 new of hires)
• Aboriginal (5%, or 1 of 20 new of hires)

Kind Regards,

Anne Tennier, P.Eng. EP
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety