Employment equity and diversity award guidelines

Purpose

Embracing Change, the Action Plan tabled by the Task Force on the Participation of Visible Minorities, recommended the development of an annual national awards program to recognise individuals who make exemplary effort and achieve exemplary progress related to the Action Plan. On June 12, 2000 the President of the Treasury Board announced the creation of the Employment Equity and Diversity Award (EE&D Award) to focus on best practices and celebrate successes in this area.

While the EE&D Award was re-instituted as a result of a recommendation in the Embracing Change Action Plan, it was expanded to recognize and celebrate achievements of individuals and teams who, through their ongoing diligence and commitment, are helping the Public Service become representative and inclusive.

Eligibility

Employees of departments and agencies listed in Schedule I, Part I and Part II of the Public Service Staff Relations Act are eligible to receive the award. Uniformed components of both the National Defence and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are also eligible.

Award

Four awards will be presented annually to individuals or teams. The award consists of an individualized plaque.

Criteria

Individuals and teams that are selected will have demonstrated one or more of the following:

• Leadership in the advancement of Employment Equity and Diversity in the organization.
• Implementation of one or more elements of the Embracing Change Action Plan resulting in measurable progress in achieving its goals.
• Commitment and contribution to the integration of Employment Equity and Diversity within human resources and business plans, practices and programs
• Creating an initiative or program that addresses the unique needs of one or more designated groups or improved corporate culture.
• Responding to the requirement to accommodate employees in the workplace.
• Recognizing their efforts towards building a representative and inclusive workplace.

Procedures

• The Leadership Network will initiate the annual call for nominations along with the call for nominations for the Award of Excellence.
• The Leadership Network is responsible for establishing an Awards and Recognition Board (ARB), composed of a chairperson, at least five senior Public Service managers and a union representative. The ARB will review all nominations.
• The Employment Equity and Diversity Awards are presented at the Award of Excellence ceremony normally held during National Public Service Week.

Financial considerations

The Leadership Network will fund and organize the presentation ceremony. Travel expenses incurred by award recipients to attend the ceremony will be the responsibility of each recipient’s department.

Nomination

• Nominations should be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation and a covering letter from the Head of Personnel or other senior official of the department or agency.
• Departments and agencies may nominate more than one employee or group of employees.