The Timmins Economic Development Corporation has developed a charter to help workplaces that want to commit to becoming more inclusive, diverse and equitable. It's called the Timmins Workplace Inclusion Charter and when signing it, employers are stating their employees deserve to feel safe, respected and supported at work.
“I think a lot of businesses would like to move forward with their equity, diversion and inclusion projects but they’re not quite sure where to start, so this Workplace Inclusion Charter gives them that roadmap," said Nicola Alexander, a community development consultant with the Timmins Economic Development Corporation.
A member of the Sikh community in Timmins, Kanwaljit Bains, said this initiative makes sense to her and said she will sign the pledge, representing two businesses and the Sikh Temple.
“I think it is very important that the businesses do come together to support the city’s initiative, to have the city look into a positive side and workforce and have a diverse community to get this city booming again," said Bains.
The charter can be accessed via TEDC's website. It outlines 16 commitments employers may pledge to abide by in their workplaces.
"Once they sign up we can also support them with tool kits in order to apply some of those principles," said Alexander.
Employers or organizations can determine which charter commitments they wish to prioritize – it doesn't have to be all 16 – and develop an action plan to tackle those promises.
