Advisory Services
Advisory Services
The role of organizational policies and systems is to establish a clear and consistent framework for how an organization operates and to support its goals and objectives. By providing guidance and structure, policies and systems help employees understand their roles and responsibilities and enable the organization to function effectively and efficiently.
Examining policies through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens is essential for creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all employees can thrive and contribute to the organization's success.
Policy & Document Review
The goal of policy & document review is to identify & remove barriers as part of a continuous organizational improvement process.
Employment Equity Support
Providing guidance on legislative compliance related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility, including the Canadian Employment Equity Act.
Focus Groups
Seek input from your employees. Gather qualitative data supporting employee experiences and sentiments.
Interviews | Process Owners & Leaders
Discover the intention behind your written systems. Discover the interpretations and applications of your written systems.
IDEA Handbook
Your Guide to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. A framework designed to support organizations in fostering inclusive work environments.
Identifying Systemic Barriers
Organizations should examine their policies as part of a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) plan for several reasons:
- Addressing Systemic Barriers
Policies can create systemic barriers that prevent equity-seeking groups from fully participating and thriving within an organization. For example, a policy that requires a certain level of education or experience for a position may exclude qualified candidates from underrepresented communities. By examining policies through a DEI lens, organizations can identify and address these barriers. - Ensuring Equity
Policies not designed with equity in mind can perpetuate inequalities within an organization. Examining policies can help ensure everyone has equal access to the organization's opportunities, resources, and benefits. - Fostering a Culture of Inclusion
Policies set the tone for how an organization operates and what is valued. By examining policies through a DEI lens, organizations can ensure that their policies align with their values of inclusivity and respect for diversity. - Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent
Diverse candidates are more likely to be attracted to organizations with policies and practices aligning with their values and supporting their growth and development. Examining policies through a DEI lens can help organizations attract and retain diverse talent.
The following policies and systems should be reviewed by an organization as part of its DEI evaluation:
- Recruitment and Hiring Policies
- Compensation and Benefits Policies
- Training and Development Policies
- Harassment and Discrimination Policies
- Leadership and Governance Policies
Reviewing policies through a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) lens can benefit an organization in several ways:
- Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent
- Improving Employee Morale and Engagement
- Enhancing the Organization's Reputation
- Reducing Legal and Financial Risks
- Improving Organizational Performance
By valuing and respecting diversity, equity, & inclusion, organizations can create a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and success.
Let us be part of your DEI success story
Discover how our DEI advisory services can transform your organization. Contact us now.Focus Groups & Interviews
Focus groups or interviews can assist an organization in uncovering the unwritten "rules" about how policies are applied within the organization, which may not be reflected in the written policies. By gathering feedback and insights from employees and stakeholders through candid discussions, organizations can better understand how their policies are being implemented and identify areas where improvements can be made. This can ultimately help to create a more transparent and equitable workplace culture.
It's important to note that focus groups and interviews are conducted in an anonymous manner, ensuring that participants do not interact with one another. Their responses are collected solely by a consultant, creating a safe environment for employees to express themselves without the fear of their employer discovering their input. The primary purpose here is to understand how policies are witnessed and comprehended by employees, a perspective often left unexplored.
There are several ways to leverage Focus Groups and Interviews for DEI Policy Reviews:
- Identify Barriers to Inclusion
Focus groups & and interviews are powerful tools for pinpointing gaps or areas needing improvement within current DEI policies. Participants, drawn from diverse backgrounds, can candidly share their experiences and provide valuable feedback on policies that might fall short in addressing their unique needs and concerns. - Assess New Policies
These methods can also be employed to test new DEI policies and practices before their full implementation. This approach ensures that the policies are not only effective but also acceptable and inclusive, setting the stage for success. - Gather Feedback on Policy
Existing policies often require interpretation, and their impact can vary from person to person. Focus groups and interviews allow participants to share their personal experiences, shedding light on these interpretations and offering suggestions for more effective and inclusive policy implementation. - Identify Unintended Consequences
Through these methods, organizations can uncover unintended consequences stemming from their policies. Participants can share how these policies have affected them, leading to the identification of areas in need of refinement and adjustment. - Foster Engagement and Buy-in
Involving employees and stakeholders in the policy review process fosters engagement and builds support for DEI initiatives. Participants feel their voices are heard, creating a sense of ownership in the process.
Benefits of Focus Groups & Interviews for DEI Planning and Reviews:
- Providing Diverse Perspectives
Focus Groups and interviews assemble individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This diversity of perspectives is invaluable for identifying gaps or areas for improvement in DEI policies and practices. - Facilitating Open Dialogue
Focus Groups and interviews offer participants a confidential and open space to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas related to DEI. Confidentiality ensures their privacy while promoting open dialogue and trust among participants. - Identifying Themes and Patterns
These methods excel at identifying common themes and patterns related to DEI issues. This rich insight informs the development of targeted and effective DEI strategies. - Gathering Qualitative Data
Focus Groups and interviews provide qualitative data on DEI issues, complementing and enhancing quantitative data. This comprehensive approach offers a deeper understanding of DEI challenges and opportunities. - Engaging Stakeholders
By involving stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and community members, in the DEI process, these methods build buy-in and support for DEI initiatives, creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Beyond Compliance
CCDI Consulting supports both Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP) and Federal Contractors Program (FCP) employers.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system is used in Canada to classify different jobs. It helps collect and share information about jobs in Canada, such as planning careers, predicting job needs, and ensuring workplaces are fair for everyone.
Using our proprietary workplace data collection & analysis service, Diversity Meter, we can support organizations in collecting their data and shine a light on potential inclusion issues. This additional level of insight can help your organization create Employment Equity plans that will address the issues faced by your organization.
Working with your HRIS team and initial data collected, CCDI Consulting can help you create appropriately coded .txt files ready for upload to WEIMS. Also, you will be assisted in running preliminary workforce analysis reports to identify potential coding errors before uploading your data into WEIMS.
This considerable task can seem overwhelming to most organizations. Still, CCDI Consulting offers project management support and oversight to ensure the process runs smoothly and that all aspects of employment systems are reviewed.