Policy Case Competition

Document Prompt 

Language (in accordance with current Government of Saskatchewan policy, Section 1001: Employment Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Barrier means anything—including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice—that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.

Belonging is when people are supported, respected and valued for their identity and unique traits. Feeling secure, supported, accepted and included.

Culturally Responsive means the ability of individuals and processes to respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations and faiths or religions in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families, tribes and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each.

Diversity is the range of human differences, including diverse talents, perspectives, backgrounds, worldviews, ways of knowing, lived experiences, skills and abilities. Diversity can have many dimensions, including sex, gender, race, cultural background, abilities, sexual orientation, religion, age and other factors impacting a person's life and perspective. Diversity can be intersectional and may be invisible or not easily seen.

Equity involves ensuring fair treatment, opportunities and advancement for all individuals and acknowledging that each person may require different resources or support to achieve parity. Unlike equality, which focuses on treating everyone the same, equity recognizes and addresses the diverse needs of individuals to achieve fairness and impartiality in outcomes.

Employment Equity: The use of workforce practices that seek to rectify the historic marginalization of certain demographic groups by reducing barriers to employment for these groups. The Saskatchewan Public Service and Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission recognize the following groups for employment equity initiatives:

• Indigenous Peoples;

• Persons with disabilities;

• Visible minority persons; and,

• Women in underrepresented occupations.

Inclusion is creating a work environment and organizational culture that seeks, accepts and values diversity. It is a mindful and equitable effort to meet individual needs so everyone feels valued and can contribute to their fullest potential.

Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community or institution against a person or people based on their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically a minority or marginalized.

Representative workforce is a workforce that reflects the diversity of the population it serves.

Systemic barriers are attitudes, policies, practices or systems resulting in individuals from certain population groups receiving unequal access to or being excluded from employment, services or programs.

Designated Equity Groups:

Note: These following definitions are provided for high-level understanding and are as inclusive as possible.

Specific programs and policies may have variant operational and narrower definitions.

Indigenous Peoples is a collective term encompassing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada. This comprises individuals who identify as First Nations (North American Indian), Métis, or Inuk (Inuit), including those recognized under the Indian Act of Canada or holding membership in a First Nation or Indian band. Per the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2), Indigenous Peoples of Canada comprise the 'Indian, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada.' This term embraces these communities' diverse lived experiences and cultural heritage, which extends across North America.

Persons with disabilities refers to individuals facing limitations or impairments (including physical, cognitive, sensory, learning or emotional) that, in interaction with a barrier, hinder their full participation in various facets of society. Disabilities encompass a broad spectrum of conditions, whether present from birth, acquired due to an accident or developed over time. These limitations may require accommodations, assistive devices or support services to enable individuals to engage fully in activities and work. Persons with disabilities may seek or benefit from various forms of support, ranging from assistive technology to adjustments in work environments, schedules or responsibilities.

Visible Minority Persons are non-white individuals, excluding Indigenous people, regardless of birthplace. This includes individuals of Black, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, Southeast Asian, non-white West Asian, North African or Arab descent, non-white Latin American origin, mixed-origin individuals with one parent from a visible minority group and others within non-white visible minority groups.

Women in Underrepresented Occupations are occupations within an employer's labour force if women occupy less than 45 percent of positions in those occupations.

https://taskroom.saskatchewan.ca/manager-resources/human-resource-manual/section-1000-employment-equity/section-1001-employment-equity