At Alectra, we are committed to supporting our employees, customers and communities. An important part of that commitment is ensuring that we create an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.
We’re focused on attracting and advancing the best talent, which means individuals of different genders, races, sexual orientations, religions, ages, and many other identities. With the support of our leadership and employees, we have embedded equity, diversity and inclusion into our corporate culture, and are pleased to share our Workplace Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Policy.
We are excited about the strides we have made and even more excited about the work that is yet to come. We recognized that equity, diversity & inclusion is a journey and are committed to learning and growing alongside our peers in the community.
Commitment
We are committed to:
- Recognizing and valuing diversity
- Ensuring equitable employment opportunities in all aspects of human resource activities
- Creating and sustaining an inclusive environment that respects everyone regardless of how they identify
- Providing a positive work environment for all employees
- Promoting a culture that encourages personal development and growth
- Creating and maintaining effective relationships with diverse communities, associations, institutions and suppliers
Responsibility
We are responsible for:
- Creating and maintaining a workplace free from discrimination
- Providing advice to employees and managers regarding the Workplace ED&I Policy, procedures and complaints
- Ensuring that all policies, practices and programs provide all employees with equal and fair treatment under all federal and provincial laws
- Ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion are part of our overall People plan
- Maintaining an employment system free from barriers
- Assisting management in the development of recruitment, promotion and retention strategies that are fair and free from discrimination
- Enhancing employee awareness and equity, diversity and inclusion fundamentals
Activities and workplace development
Alectra was the first organization to sign the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity for the Electricity Industry – a public commitment to advance opportunities for women in the workplace. Shortly thereafter, we developed an ED&I council and focused on identifying opportunities to engage and empower diverse groups at Alectra.
Today, we promote STEM for women through events, camps, webinars and conferences. Our employees are offered webinars on Indigenous cultures, 2SLGBTQ+ topics, and unconscious bias, and we require all employees to review policies around respect in the workplace, code of conduct and whistleblowing. We also embrace diversity by celebrating events such as Black History Month and Pride Month.
Public and community approach
To help our communities combat anti-Black racism, we support local organizations‘ grassroots initiatives. In 2021, these include a virtual youth tutoring program, ED&I awareness presentations, an Afro-centric children’s book, five scholarships for youth entering post-secondary school and an educational campaign on Black heritage. We strive to move forward thoughtfully with our community partners and continue to seek more initiatives for this important work.
We have also partnered with the Directors College within McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business to develop the Alectra Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Scholarship, starting in 2022, which can provide more equality and accessible leadership opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
To further reflect the communities we serve, Alectra will look to work with vendors and suppliers that have developed ED&I plans which include anti-racism and anti-discrimination policies, and a plan for educating staff to enable a safe, inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace.
Anti-discrimination and anti-racism pledge
Our dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion reflects our company values. This commitment is outlined in our Code of Conduct, Respect in the Workplace policy and throughout alectraCARES.
At Alectra, all actions relating to people with regards to hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, job assignments, transfers, employee programs or company sponsored events will be taken in accordance with the Human Rights Code of Ontario and its prohibitions with respect to age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status (including single status), gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance, record of offences, sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding) or sexual orientation.
Company demographics
As an important initial step to moving forward as an organization, we have conducted an anonymous and voluntary ED&I employee census survey to better understand our company demographics, and the sentiment of inclusion and belonging at Alectra. The survey results will help us identify the areas we need to focus on to ensure that our programs and policies going forward reflect our diverse workforce.
Currently, our board of directors is made up of 35% women and our senior leadership team is 32% women. More information on demographics to come as we complete the analysis of our survey results.
Hiring and training
Alectra strives to ensure equitable employment opportunities in all aspects of human resource activities, and creates and maintains effective relationships with diverse communities, associations, institutions and suppliers. Reviewed and modified annually by our People team, our recruitment, promotion and retention strategies aim to be fair and free from discrimination.
Our supplier selection process is approached in a similar manner. Going forward, we plan to explicitly ask vendors about their commitment to ED&I in future RFP applications.
Employee benefits
We open possibilities to all of our employees through a plethora of benefits. We provide a comprehensive extended Health & Dental benefits plan, a defined benefit pension plan (OMERS), life insurance, pregnancy/parental top-up benefit, and employee assistance program services.
To contribute positively to employees’ physical, mental and overall wellbeing, Alectra provides various wellness offerings and programs. We have provided wellness challenges, weekly yoga sessions and wellness webinars. This year, we created a Virtual Wellness Week with renowned speakers on various topics. We also have a Healthy Living Reimbursement Program that contributes to the cost of employee’s fitness, nutrition and other healthy living activities.
Title
Growing and learning together
We are looking forward to growing and developing as we create positive change for our employees and our communities.
We each play a role in moving towards a more equitable and inclusive world where we can all discover the possibilities.