Developing a Welcoming and Diverse Workplace
Originally posted on www.accessibleemployers.ca
Vancity Credit Union talks about how they’ve developed a welcoming and diverse workplace that includes employees with disabilities.
Transcript:
Vancity Credit Union
Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO, Vancity Credit Union:
The word accessibility is really about diversity and inclusion. So how welcoming are our workplaces to people with diverse-abilities and to diverse backgrounds. And once we welcome them to our organization, do we really include them?
It’s often said that diversity is inviting somebody to a party, but inclusion is actually asking them to dance.
Having a diverse workforce, one that has different experiences one that can appeal to different parts of the market, and in a way that creates a good healthy morale for the employees that you already have, it’s a competitive advantage.
It gives business the opportunity to see things differently.
Kristin Bower, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Vancity Credit Union
If you’re an employer, who wants to take what you think is a leap of faith and start more inclusive hiring practices employing people with diverse-abilities, please know it’s actually not a leap of faith.
Don’t feel like you have to do this all by yourself. Don’t feel like you have to be the subject matter expert now in employing people with diverse-abilities. You’re already the subject matter expert in your business. So find a great partner, and work with them.
Paddy Gallagher, People Solutions Administrator, Vancity Credit Union
I was originally with this job hiring company who recommended me Vancity. I never really worked in an office environment before let alone a credit union. But I did well in my interview, and I connected instantly with my coworkers so, I was hired.
I have autism which is a developmental disability. In some ways I may act a little strange but in actuality I am pretty much on the ball.
Vancity is willing to help people in need. Not just the community, but also their staff as well.
Tammy Vanderkamp, Member Services Representative, Vancity Credit Union
When I looked at their website when I was first applying, I noticed they placed a high importance on diversity and inclusion, so that was what really attracted me to the organization. By hiring people with diverse-abilities, you increase their participation in community life. And you increase their overall acceptance by society members and in society in general.
It’s definitely increase my confidence because I have to deal with the public more and more. I’m definitely more willing to take risks and if somebody says something’s not possible I will definitely go try it anyway.
Kristin Bower, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant, Vancity Credit Union
It’s very important we reflect the communities in which we live and serve. It just makes sense for us. But it’s also really important to me because I’m a person with a diverse-ability. I’ve experience depression and anxiety for probably 20 years and so to work for an organization that I know truly does believe in this work – they truly walk the talk – is pretty special.
Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO, Vancity Credit Union:
So often we think that hiring people with disabilities is the right thing to do from a society and community point of view and that’s absolutely true. The things that we have learned and the experiences that we have had by welcoming a more diverse workforce into our organization are almost to many to mention.
We’re demonstrating that it’s the right thing to do from a business point of view as well.
It’s really one of those classic win-wins.
