Scouts Canada is a national non-profit organization and the country’s leading co-ed youth organization, offering programming for children and youth aged 5-26. With over 50,000 youth participating across the country in multiple languages and reflecting Canada’s multicultural landscape, Scouts Canada enables kids and youth to chart their own path of discovery. The organization employs approximately 150 individuals nationwide.
Recruitment and hiring with a DEI focus
Scouts Canada prioritizes equity, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) within both workplace and recruitment procedures. The organization implemented a Self-Declaration form for members of Employment Equity Groups and other diverse groups, making it available to all job applicants. This voluntary survey aims to gather insights into the backgrounds of applicants, which are then analyzed to identify areas for improvement in recruitment strategy.
Partnerships and community engagement
Through analyzing the data collected from the Self-Declaration form, Scouts Canada identified areas to enhance their recruitment strategy. The organization established connections and built partnerships with nationwide community organizations dedicated to serving underrepresented groups. By collaborating with these organizations, Scouts Canada actively posts job opportunities on diverse job boards, making the job postings accessible to candidates from a variety of backgrounds. These efforts have led to successful hiring events and a significant increase in hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds, thereby enhancing the inclusivity of the recruitment process.
Workplace flexibility program
Scouts Canada offers flexible schedules and working arrangements to promote inclusivity by allowing individuals to adapt their work schedules to accommodate diverse needs. This approach fosters a culture where everyone feels valued and included, and it supports work-life balance.
Program launch
Both the DEI-focused recruitment initiative and the Workplace Flexibility program were launched in 2023. These programs have already demonstrated notable enhancements in recruiting employees from varied backgrounds.
Impact
The introduction of diverse employees has brought a variety of fresh perspectives, experiences, and ideas to Scouts Canada, fostering innovation and creativity. Different backgrounds lead to novel approaches to problem-solving and new ways of thinking, driving organizational growth and adaptability.
Inclusivity and employee engagement
By extending workplace flexibility to all employees, Scouts Canada prioritizes inclusivity by addressing diverse needs, minimizing entry barriers, advocating for work-life balance, nurturing an inclusive environment, attracting and retaining diverse talent, and adjusting to evolving circumstances and needs.
Increased job offer acceptance and engagement
The initiatives have resulted in an increased rate of job offer acceptance, higher inclusion and engagement scores among employees, improved productivity, and better decision-making and problem-solving. Additionally, the organization has seen a more robust and engaging company culture, with approximately a 20% improvement in various metrics.
Conclusion
Scouts Canada has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization. By implementing the DEI-focused recruitment initiative and the Workplace Flexibility program, the organization has successfully enhanced its inclusivity, fostered a culture of innovation, and improved overall employee satisfaction and productivity. These efforts reflect Scouts Canada’s dedication to creating a diverse and supportive work environment that benefits both employees and the broader community.
