The CGLCC is Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, whose purpose is to “unite and advocate for the over 100,000 2SLGBTQI+ owned and operated businesses in Canada.” CGLCC aims to make Canada’s economy more inclusive, overcoming barriers to resources and advocating for equal opportunities. When it comes to business, the LGBTQ+ community is a powerful one, generating over $22 billion in economic activity and employing over 435,000 Canadians.
The CGLCC held a Global Business Summit & Supplier Diversity Forum in June, where Recruit Action received the Rainbow Registered Accreditation. CGLCC and Tourism HR Canada partnered to launch the Rainbow Registered Accreditation program for 2SLGBTQI+-friendly businesses and organizations. This national accreditation signifies that the company has met vital standards to ensure LGBTQ+ customers and staff feel welcome. In addition to following guidelines so LGBTQ+ customers feel accepted, Rainbow Registered businesses join a distinguishable directory and can market themselves as destinations for the LGBTQ+ market.
The Rainbow Registered Accreditation is significant to Recruit Action Partner Domenic Calcara as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The award reflects the journey Domenic took with his partner and son to create a family and build a business he is proud of. Domenic’s partner Steve helped to bolster his inner strength to pursue his path, from adopting their child to expanding his career. In a previous blog, Domenic describes how the support of his family and business partners inspired him to push through obstacles and embrace his true self. “When you surround yourself with people who care about your well-being, you empower them to be good at everything in their lives,” says Domenic.
All of us at Recruit Action have experienced the transformative power of acceptance without judgement. We understand how safe and connected environments enable people to thrive in their work. For Recruit Action, the Rainbow Registered Accreditation is more than a marker that we have followed specific guidelines. Accreditation reflects our commitment to proactively shaping a business where we value everyone’s unique identity. We believe that diversity in the workplace is essential and that inclusivity should guide every aspect of an organization. Recruit Action practices diversity and inclusion (D&I) as a sign of respect for others and because it is essential to job seekers today.
D&I is one of the essential qualities candidates look for in employers and is vital to an organization’s success. It is crucial to understand the difference between diversity and inclusion. Diversity represents many identities in an organization, from race and nationality to gender and sexual orientation. Inclusion is about ensuring all these groups have equal opportunity and value for their contributions. Diversity and inclusion are not mutually exclusive. You can have an incredibly diverse workforce, but if certain groups have more representation and influence, then it is not inclusive.
Research shows employers who integrate D&I into their business succeed beyond their less-equitable competitors. Increased innovation is a significant benefit of D&I. With a diverse and inclusive workforce, a broader range of perspectives is available to brainstorm and solve problems. Employees feel more comfortable sharing ideas from their breadth of experiences, increasing teamwork and skill sharing between co-workers. A diverse team attracts diverse customers, enabling organizations to connect with a broader market audience. D&I attracts talent as well as customers. Nowadays, diversity is one of the most important factors for job seekers when accepting an offer. Organizations with an inclusive working culture also have a 5.4 times higher employee retention. A report on organizational culture by Great Place to Work revealed that when people trust their employers to treat them fairly regardless of personal identity, they are 9.8 times more likely to look forward to going to work. Individuals who don’t feel equally valued and respected at their workplace will inevitably leave.
Employers who do the work to practice diversity and inclusion will receive trust and commitment from their employees. An inclusive approach to recruiting allows organizations to find better talent. A company creates a broader pool of highly-skilled candidates by actively focusing on diversity and removing restrictive viewpoints from the hiring process. Organizations with integrated D&I experience more productivity and revenue growth because they understand that when your people thrive, your business thrives too. Employees are simply happier in diverse and inclusive professional environments.
The CGLCC conference in Ottawa, where Domenic accepted the Rainbow Registered Accreditation, was an empowering three days connecting with Canadian businesses and changemakers. At the conference, the Recruit Action team met other members, listened to stimulating presentations from industry leaders, and participated in informative workshops. We discussed critical issues for the 2SLGBTQI+ community and explored new paths of progress. During Pride Month, it was exciting to be in a space dedicated to creating an accepting, human-led future of business.
June is Pride Month. With Pride, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, their history, creativity, and contributions to society. Pride is also a protest for equal rights and respect for LGBTQ+ people. We are fortunate to have organizations such as CGLCC in Canada, but in many parts of the world, it is still illegal and dangerous to exist as an LGBTQ+ person. To stand up for LGBTQ+ people is to stand up for everyone, so we can all live and work without discrimination or judgement. Regardless of what some news outlets and politicians may say, we have more in common than our differences. The desire for love, connection, and understanding makes us all human. At its core, Pride is about nourishing the incredible diversity of humanity. Recruit Action proudly supports the LGBTQ+ community as a Rainbow Registered Accredited Business.
Contact us to learn more about how you can bring diversity and inclusion into your company’s recruitment and workplace culture.