THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY IN WORKPLACES BY TERESA TRUONG

The Importance of Diversity Workplaces

By Teresa Truong | For Ms. Walling's blogspot | Posted January 19th, 2020

Image via iStock

Thirty-percent of Canadians in visible minority groups or the LGBTQ+ have faced discrimination at least once in their workplace. The percentage is even higher for Indigenous people and those with disabilities with forty-percent and forty-one-percent respectively. Discrimination in workplaces is when an individual is treated unequally based on their sex, sexual orientation, race, and religion. Examples of discrimination a worker may face are: being paid less compared to other workers despite doing equal work, harassed based a specific characteristic, and denied payment for overtime. However, according to the Canadian Human Rights Act, Canadians have the right to be treated with equality within their workplace without being discriminated on their gender, race, and religion. Therefore, it should be more crucial of us to spread diversity rather than discriminate others solely on their attributes.

In June 2019, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) goverment passed Bill 21 and with support from the Party Québécois, religious garments such as hijabs, kippas, turbans, and crucifixes were banned in professional workplaces. Why is this happening? Ever since the 2018 provincial election, CAQ had promised to enforce the bill "as soon as possible." According to Premier François Legault, he sees Bill 21 as a fulfillment of the Québécois' wishes and states that a large majority of them concurred with him. But from an Ipsos poll, two-thirds of the province are not in favour of the bill.

Ever since the implementation of Quebec's secularism law, much of the public workers' chances for promotion are now limited. Not only does it create discrimination, but also increases the hatred towards those who wear religious articles of clothing, especially those who have already faced against prejudice beforehand such as Islamphobia. Moreover, people are coerced by the government to choose between their job or their identity.

"My passion for teaching gave me a sense of belonging. I am my truest self in my classroom. It’s my world. Bill 21 has undermined my place in the world."

- Nadia Naqvi

Nadia Naqvi is a teacher who was grandfathered into her job and was hoping to move up to administration, but due to Bill 21, she's at a halt. Prior to the bill, Nadia was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica which has left her unable to walk. Not only does she have to worry about her ailment, but she also has to worry about Bill 21. Additionally, she states that the bill has made her become a "second-class citizen" because her co-workers are able to continue professionally whereas she cannot. 

In order for us to eliminate discrimination in workplaces, we should first educate ourselves on another person's characteristics or religion before we can judge them. We should also realize that our population is diverse and make sure everyone is heard and treated equally. Everyone should feel that they belong and not be discriminated solely on what they wear. As well as not have to choose between their ethics or their profession. Therefore, we should stand together to combat against discrimination and create diversity.

Works Cited

Ligaya, Armina. “3 In 10 Minority Canadians Faced Discrimination In Current Job: Survey.” HuffPost Canada, HuffPost Canada, 6 Nov. 2019, www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/workplace-discrimination-canada_ca_5dc2d3cce4b0b0861f91b007.

“Discrimination in the Workplace.” Minken Employment Lawyers, 24 May 2019, www.minkenemploymentlawyers.com/employment-law-issues/discrimination-in-the-workplace-when-its-prohibited-and-when-its-permitted-employment-discrimination-lawyers-2/.

Heritage, Canadian. “Government of Canada.” Canada.ca, Government of Canada, 1 June 2018, www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/rights-workplace.html.

Youssef, Alia. “'I Feel like a Stranger Here Now': For Six Muslim Women, Quebec's Religious Symbols Law Has Upended Their Lives.” The Globe and Mail, 22 Dec. 2019, www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-i-feel-like-a-stranger-here-now-for-six-muslim-women-quebecs/.

Image Source

Aleutie. “Giant Managerial Hand Picking up a White Male from a Line of a...” IStock, www.istockphoto.com/ca/vector/chosen-one-gm673580616-123531673.