Economic Empowerment

Move Forward – Creating Inclusion in Contemporary Work

 

YWCAs across the country work to advance gender equity for women and gender-diverse people. That includes work around economic empowerment. 

Our work is centred on the following key areas to ensure women and gender-diverse people know that there’s a place for them in today’s economy by:

  • Enabling and equipping women and gender-diverse people from marginalized identities in achieving their full potential
  • Making sure community members have information and support to make the best economic decisions for themselves and their families
  • Working with employers and policy-makers to create employment environments that speak to the needs of women and gender-diverse people, including meaningful labour protections and employment standards, pay equity, action on workplace violence, recruitment, retention and advancement models grounded in a gender-equity lens and retraining and reskilling programs that allow for accessible participation from women and gender-diverse people.

 

 

 

 

What’s New

New training series on employment equity   

 

The way we work has changed. Employers need to work creatively and intentionally to make sure they are building work environments where all employees can thrive. 

In this three module training series, we will unpack:

  • the nuances, opportunities and challenges of navigating hybrid work and performance management. 
  • strategies for identifying and addressing subtle acts of exclusion. Knowing how to have these conversations in an open and honest manner will assist individuals and organizations in creating spaces where employees have a sense of belonging and mutual respect.
  • what it means for an organization to be trauma-informed, and how workplaces can create conditions that foster safety, trust, and compassion, resulting in diverse, respectful and productive teams

The information presented in these training modules is based on the YWCA Canada Movement’s on-the-ground experiences, and it reflects the needs, expertise, and wisdom of the women and gender-diverse people served by YWCAs across Canada.

We welcome employers, people managers and business leaders to this powerful movement to create more equitable and safer work environments for women and gender-diverse people.

This series is presented through funding from the Government of Canada’s Department of Women and Gender Equality and the Future Skills Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

Creating Inclusion in Contemporary Work Training Modules

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    Click here to find exercises to help you apply your knowledge individually or in a team, as well as key concepts and resources.

     

     

     

     

  • Training Module One: Hybrid Work and Performance Management

    Employers and employees have been leaning into the benefits of hybrid work environments. In this session we unpack some of the nuances and challenges of navigating hybrid work and performance management. Join us and learn how to reimagine policies, practices and culture to put people first, regardless of where they work. 

    Learning objectives for this session:

    • Recognize the opportunities and gaps created by hybrid team environments 
    • Review workflow policies and performance measurement practices from an equity lens.
    • Re-imagine employee well-being and workplace culture

     

     

     

     

Module 1 Resources

  • Click here to find exercises to help you apply your knowledge individually or in a team, as well as key concepts and resources.

     

     

     

     

  • Training Module Two: Bold Steps to Inclusion

    In this session, we unpack strategies for identifying and addressing subtle acts of exclusion (more commonly known as microaggressions) to allow all employees to feel a sense of belonging and mutual respect.

    Learning objectives for this session:

    • Foreground microaggressions and subtle acts of exclusion that often occur at the workplace
    • Cover some tactical steps to fostering inclusion
    • Discuss how inclusive language and appropriate actions can help to foster deeper connections at work

     

     

     

     

Module 2 Resources

  • Click here to find exercises to help you apply your knowledge individually or in a team, as well as key concepts and resources.

     

     

     

     

  • Training Module 3: Advancing Trauma-Informed Approaches in the Workplace

    In this session, we dive into what it means to be trauma-informed as an organization and how workplaces can build environments that cultivate safety, trust and compassion that ultimately lead to diverse and productive teams.

    Learning objectives for this session:

    • Understand the impact of trauma on workplace behavior and performance.
    • Guiding trauma-informed organizations.
    • Trauma-informed approaches, and identify and surface needs or resources.

     

     

     

     

Module 3 Resources

Related Opportunities

Learn about the Labour Market Access Projects and stay tuned for upcoming events! 

 

For employers:

For job and reskilling opportunity seekers: