|
TORONTO/CNW/ - This morning, senior business and
community leaders joined the Ontario Human Rights Commission to
launch “Count me in!” a new guide that provides information and
advice on collecting human rights-based data in a wide variety
of sectors across Ontario.
For many years, fears of misuse led some organizations to avoid
collecting human rights-based data. This 81-page guide helps
dispel those fears and others by providing a plain language,
common-sense framework for collecting data in a way that can
build trust and encourage proactive solutions.
A growing number of businesses, public sector and non-profit
employers are finding that collecting data can play a useful and
often essential role in creating strong human rights and human
resources strategies. “Count me in!” includes best practice
examples of how data collection can improve internal work
environments, provide better customer service, promote higher
productivity, identify opportunities for growth and have a
positive effect on the bottom line.
“You can’t solve human rights problems without all the
information,” said OHRC Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall.
“Collecting human rights-based data can help, whether you’re
looking for indications of racial profiling or for opportunities
to expand to new markets. Each of our partners agrees that this
kind of information is the right thing, and also the smart
thing, to collect.”
The guide features the experiences of KPMG Canada, TD Bank
Financial Group, Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, Mount
Sinai Hospital, Maytree, The Toronto City Summit Alliance,
Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute and the University of
Guelph, among others. Each of these organizations provided input
and guidance to the OHRC as it developed the guide.
Two organizations, KPMG Canada and TD Bank Financial Group, also
served as sponsoring partners, providing both financial and
in-kind assistance to design, print, distribute and launch the
guide. Both offer compelling examples of how collecting human
rights-based data makes solid business sense.
“At KPMG our goal is to create an inclusive work environment
that respects each and every member of our team,” said Bill
Thomas, CEO of KPMG Canada. “Our goal is also to celebrate and
encourage the variety of perspectives our people bring to the
table. Collecting data helps us to learn what those perspectives
are, and what steps we can take to continue to be an employer of
choice.”
“Creating an inclusive culture for all TD employees and
customers is a top priority,” says Scott Mullin, Vice President,
Government and Community Relations, TD Bank Financial Group.
“Ongoing data collection is paramount to understanding and
meeting the needs of our diverse employees and customers and
supporting groups and causes that matter to these stakeholders
and the communities in which we operate.”
|
|
