Ottawa: Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC), in partnership with the Government of Ontario’s EnAbling Change Program, announced the development August 8 of an online portal of information and resources to help employers improve or enhance equity of access and supports for people with disabilities. The project is designed to assist those with disabilities - both visible and invisible - who work or wish to work in the Canadian electricity industry, while also addressing key priority areas of the EnAbling Change Program for the 2016-2017 year.
In addition to information on the legislative and reporting requirements employers in Ontario must comply with under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, EHRC’s dedicated web portal includes: information on the Employment Standard, the business case for recruiting people with disabilities, leading and promising practices to support employer initiatives, and links to specialized service providers and disability organizations that can connect employers to those with disabilities. Each topic covers “an important aspect of achieving an accessible work environment that includes people with disabilities.” While directed towards Ontario-based employers, given EHRC’s national mandate, employers from all provinces across Canada will derive value from the resources included within the portal.
“The electricity and renewable energy workforce is changing,” says Michelle Branigan, CEO of Electricity Human Resources Canada. “In the midst of these changes, we know that there is an invaluable pool of talent to be found amongst people with disabilities. Not only do they bring expertise and experience to the job, they help organizations create a more inclusive workplace culture.”
Throughout the project EHRC has worked to create awareness that hiring people with disabilities is not only socially responsible, but good for business – increasing employee morale, productivity, innovation, profitability, organizational excellence, and the ability to retain talent.
Industry partners on this initiative have included: Alectra Utilities (Horizon Utilities, Powerstream), Ontario Power Generation, New Brunswick Community College, Burlington Hydro; Newfoundland Power; the Society of Energy Professionals, LiveWorkPlay, and the Mental Health Commission of Canada
To learn more please visit the EHRC website at: http://electricityhr.ca/workplace-support/diversity-inclusion/from-disability-to-inclusion/resource-kit/.