Equality At Work Pilot Program

Be a leader in workplace equality.

The Equality At Work pilot program is a provincial human resources designation program designed to recognize New Brunswick organizations that strive to ensure equality in the workplace.

Launched in Spring 2009, Equality At Work is a one year pilot program designed to engage employers to reduce their workplace wage gap through strengthening workplace equality.

Why be designated?

DID YOU KNOW?

83% of all consumer purchase decisions are made by women.

Women represent almost half the workforce in Canada yet account for only 7.3% of the highest corporate officer titles. (Source: 2006 Catalyst Canada Census)

The research is clear and dramatic: Female executives can help improve a company’s bottom line. According to a 2004 study by Catalyst, a research and advisory organization that focuses on women’s issues, Fortune 500 companies with the highest percentages of female corporate officers saw, on average, a 35.1 percent higher return on equity and a 34.0 percent higher return to shareholders than companies with the lowest percentages of female corporate officers.

Employers who attract, retain, and advance women in their organization are ahead of the game.

Be progressive.

By building a business plan that supports a diverse workplace, progressive employers are attracting from a larger pool of talent and projecting a more positive public image that will gain support from today’s more socially conscious consumers and clients.

In an increasingly competitive labour market, employers need to utilize its entire workforce to their full potential. Women who are not employed to their full potential represent more than just a wage gap – they represent a productivity gap.

Due to the crucial importance of equality in the workplace, the Equality at
Work pilot program has been created to recognize those employers who ensure equality is upheld.

The Equality At Work Advantage

Wage Gap solutions are human resources solutions.

In addition to the employer benefits, workplaces that demonstrate Equality At Work may also:

	Achieve a more representative workforce at all levels;
	Achieve enhanced creativity and innovation through workplace diversity;
	Improve organizational policies and practices;
	Improve organizational reputation;
	Be perceived as an attractive workplace;
	Be better equipped to meet the demands of a diverse client base through having a diverse workforce;
	Achieve enhanced customer experience. When employees perceive their company as a fair, respectful and trustworthy employer, it positively impacts staff attitudes and behaviours which can in turn lead to a more positive customer experience;
	Be more attractive to female clients and consumers.

Who can be designated?

The Equality At Work program is open to all businesses, organizations and workplaces operating in New Brunswick.

How can my organization become designated?

Become designated in 5 steps:

Step 1	Establish an Equality At Work committee.
Step 2	Complete the worksheets provided in the Equality At Work Workbook.
Step 3	Identify your organization’s existing strengths and areas of opportunity.
Step 4	Create your Action Plan.
Step 5	Submit your application for Equality At Work designation.

How can I find out more?

Employers who are interested in becoming designated after the pilot program is completed can sign up on our Employer Participation Form. For additional employer resources, visit the Employer Toolkit.

For more information about the pilot program or how your organization can become designated, please contact us.