Tag: Culture

Wins, losses, ties, and finding other ways to Victory – Part 2

Paul Wagenaar

Have you ever tried to get into a building but couldn’t open the door? Have you ever needed immediate assistance only to be told you will have to go on a waiting list for six months or more? Have you ever wanted a job but didn’t get it knowing that you were not considered, not because you couldn’t do the job, but because of someone’s bias you weren’t given a chance?

In Canada everyone has the right to employment, but it is far from a “level playing field;” people who live with barriers, including disabilities have to work harder to achieve their wins, they often lose, occasionally tie, and have to find ways to make progress and achieve a measure of victory.

In this, part 2 of 2, I hope to illuminate more of the barriers, the challenges, and to help dispel the myths and biases to help people who live with barriers and disabilities to achieve their employment goals.

We need your awareness and your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

Answer …  Everything is about value and standing out

Paul Wagenaar

We are conditioned by society not to stand out, we all suffer to one extent or another because of the education system and by human nature. Fortunately “blending in” is a learned behavior that can be “unlearned.” The journey to success is helped by learning to stand out, to always provide value and it doesn’t matter if it is for yourself, personally, or for your organization; and it is something you can do, you can even start today.

Looking for a job shouldn’t be this hard …

Paul Wagenaar

Finding a new job for anyone can be very difficult. We all face barriers to employment, living in a small or medium-sized community can add some surprising additional barriers. People in this situation, need our help, they need my help and they need your help. Lend me five minutes of your time for a brief introduction to learning about the barriers and what we can do to overcome them.

Work pressure and sick time.

Paul Wagenaar

In the past and even today, work has stressed and made me feel overwhelmed … and I know that I am not alone. There are ways to mitigate these feelings and even to “get ahead of them;” consider this post to be a guide with “Tools Everyone Can Use” to help you stop being affected as much.

It is worth it for you and for them …

Paul Wagenaar

With the coming of spring (finally) many students are starting to look for summer jobs and many organizations are looking to hire. Hiring students benefits both the student and employer; the learning curve can be steep on both sides, but it is worth the effort today and tomorrow.

Suggestions for Small/Medium-Sized Organizations

Paul Wagenaar

The United States is no longer the shining beacon of trade, hope, and freedom it was only a few months ago. Countries like Canada seem to be its new enemy and are subject to uncertainty, economic blackmail, and threats to its sovereignty. At a micro-level, many small and medium-sized organizations are facing decisions that were unthinkable previously … how to survive in a hostile trading environment.

In 1500 words or less, I can only suggest the beginnings of a new path, a way written expressly for a friend who operates her own business. My advice though, could help both “for profit” and “not-for-profit” organizations chart a new path, not by denying our new reality, but by “turning into the US-lead economic skid,” and begin working towards a future not based on US reliance.

It is always worth the effort …

Paul Wagenaar

Hiring a student or welcoming a coop student into your workplace is an investment in our collective future. The practical skills and knowledge they gain builds on their academic abilities. Take the time to prepare and anticipate the work involved and collaboratively make them part of your team.

Train them and allow them to demonstrate to you they can make meaningful contributions when provided with opportunities.

MORE TEACHABLE MOMENTS

Paul Wagenaar

I work assisting people who are experiencing barriers to employment overcome them and find jobs that either accomplish their goals or take them to the next step on their individual journeys.

My role as a coach and mentor constantly reminds me of the lessons shared with me during my career, this post is the next chapter on “lessons learned” from my November 24th post.

“Yes” and so do many other hiring “practices.”

Paul Wagenaar

Have you ever considered how biased our hiring practices are toward people who do not experience barriers to employment. How difficult it is for people who are from outside the “colonial bubble” most of us never even notice?

When you start to see and think about those barriers you can see the intrinsic discrimination that happens every day.

Seeing all the people, seeing all the possibilities

Paul Wagenaar

When you or your organization goes looking for new people, what do you see? Do you see everyone who could meet or exceed your requirements? Do you include people from different backgrounds, ethnicity, cultures, people who experience barriers to employment. Hiring people is about seeing people without bias, misconceptions; it is about seeing the humanity behind the cover letter or resume.

I was involved in Human Resources for most of may career, I made mistakes; but with help I learned some lessons that might help you and your team.