Included? Evaluating Trans Workplace Inclusion in Canada

Moving Trans History Forward Conference

Presentation by Jade Pichette, Manager of Programs, Pride at Work Canada

March 12, 2021

Land AcknowledgementPride at Work Canada works on the traditional territories of the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. This includes two-spirit, and LGBTQ Indigenous people. We recognize that there are multiple barriers that impact Two-Spirit and LGBTQ Indigenous people from accessing meaningful, affirming, and inclusive employment. In our work we look to reduce those barriers and, are open to feedback from Indigenous workers, employers, and job seekers in making that a reality.

Today I am presenting from the "Dish with One Spoon" territory Tkaranto/Toronto. It is traditionally the home of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. Today, Toronto is home to Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. I would also like to acknowledge with respect the Lekwungen-speaking peoples on whose traditional territory the University of Victoria stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Today’s Agenda

• Who am I?

• Canadian context of trans employment

• Transitioning Employers: A survey of policies and practices for trans inclusive workplaces

• Opportunities for trans employment

• Resources

Pride at Work Canada/Fierté au travail Canada Through dialogue, education and thought leadership, Pride at Work Canada empowers employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. We help create safer, more inclusive workspaces that realize the full potential of all employees and bring down barriers to employment. Our learning, networking and community events happen across the country, celebrating and connecting the most inclusive Canadian employers.

Over 150 National, Regional and Community Partners

Research, benchmarking and publications

Engaging LGBTQ2+ communities and HR/diversity professionals

Events and activities across Canada

About MeCurrently:

• Manager of Programs of Pride at Work Canada

• Independent Inclusion and Diversity Consultant through Jade Pichette Consulting

• Ásatrú Gythia [priestess] of Vindisir Kindred and interfaith presenter

Former:

• Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator at the ArQuives [The largest LGBTQ2+ community archive in the world]

• Education Programs Coordinator at Kind Space[Ottawa’s Queer Community Centre]

• Founder of Trans Youth Ottawa

Connection to Employment● Gender identity and expression have been legally

protected Canada-wide since 2018

● Access to employment is still a challenge for many trans people

● Access to employment is directly related to health outcomes

● Trans people in Canada are more likely to be disabled (19%) or live with mental illness (43%) and most trans Canadians have experienced verbal, physical, or sexual violence.

Trans Employment in Canada

Data from the Trans Pulse Canada (2020) of trans people age 25+.

Addressing trans inclusion in Canadian employment● Pride at Work Canada, Elevate Equity, Toronto

Trans Coalition Project, other non-profits and independent consultants working directly with employers

● Trans Workforce: Doing job fair directly for trans people

● Canadian LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce - Trans Advisory Committee

● Numerous sex work organizations like Maggie’s (Toronto), Stella’s (Montreal) and PACE Society (Vancouver) Trans Workforce Planning Meeting 2017

Courtesy of Biko Beauttah

Transitioning Employers: A survey of policies and practices for trans inclusive workplaces

Meet the Research Team

Jade Pichette

Manager of Programs

Pride at Work CanadaThey/them

Bretton Fosbrook

Research Fellow

Institute for Gender and the EconomyHe/they

Sarah Kaplan

Research Director Institute for Gender and the EconomyShe/her

Carmina Ravanera

Research Associate Institute for Gender and the EconomyShe/her

Elliot Fonarev

Research Assistant Institute for Gender and the EconomyThey/he

Types of Policies and Practices for Survey Basic accommodations:

• Policy on non-discrimination protections

• Protocols for assisting employees with transitioning

• Protocols for changes to names and gender markers

• Health coverage for medically necessary care

• Gender-inclusive facilities, forms, dress codes

• Privacy protections for data collection• Harassment and complaints policies

Fully Inclusive practices:

∙ Executive leadership support∙ Employee training on gender identity and gender

expression∙ Inclusive recruiting practices∙ Onboarding training on gender identity∙ Employee resource groups∙ Targeted mentorship and allyship∙ Diversity and inclusion managers with a trans

inclusion mandate∙ Networking with community organizations to

develop insight and expertise

*The full list of questions is available in the report.

MethodologySurvey targeting

● Invited 120 Pride at Work Canada members to participate

● 69 companies responded, a 58% response rate

Structured telephone interviews with survey respondents, asked 70 questions in English or French

Types of businesses:Consumer Packaged Goods & Services – 20 (29%)

Education – 10 (14%) Finance and Insurance – 10 (14%) Professional Services – 18 (26%) Public Sector, Healthcare – 11 (16%)

Opportunities for Trans Employment

“To the best of my knowledge, there are no trans people in this organization”

Explicit policies for recruiting and retaining trans and gender non-conforming people are lacking in organizations

Where we can go from here● Employers must update their

policies and procedures to be trans inclusive.

● We must reframe gender inclusion and reporting to include trans people.

● Design mentorship programs for trans people.

● Provide grant opportunities for trans people to become entrepreneurs

● Create professional networking opportunities for trans people. (ex Matrices: Trans, Non-binary, & Agender digital connect).

● Decriminalize sex work

Matrices: Trans, Nonbinary, & Agender Digital ConnectAs trans, and gender diverse people we to create spaces for ourselves:

November 2019Toronto Trans, Nonbinary, & Agender Networking Breakfast

November 2020First edition of Matrices

March 2021Second edition of Matrices

Resources

Further resourcesPride at Work Canada:www.prideatwork.ca/

Institute of Gender and the Economy: https://www.gendereconomy.org/

Canadian Human Rights Commission:https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/

Trans Pulse Canada:https://transpulsecanada.ca/

Livestream launch event: Transitioning Employers report:https://www.gendereconomy.org/livestream-launch-event-transitioning-employers-report/

Matrices: Trans, Nonbinary, & Agender Digital Connecthttps://prideatwork.ca/programs/matrices/

Your Journey: A Career Guide for Trans and Nonbinary Students:https://sgdo.utoronto.ca/resources/your-journey-guide/

Creating Authentic Spaces [EN, FR, SP]:https://www.the519.org/education-training/training-resources/our-resources/creating-authentic-spaces

Questions or Followup

Jade PichetteManager of Programs / Gestionnaire des programmes

Pride at Work Canada / Fierté au travail CanadaPronouns: they/them / Pronoms: elle/la

192 Spadina Ave, Suite 312Toronto, ON M5T 2C2

Office: 416-309-8410 x 2Cell: 416-554-2132

Email: jade.pichette@prideatwork.caWeb: www.prideatwork.ca