In honour of Pride week in Vancouver  — July 27-August 2, 2020 — CPHR BC & Yukon would like to take the opportunity to shine the spotlight on the wonderful HR professionals who have made a difference in the workplace for the LGTBQIA2S+ community. 

If you know someone who has played a role in improving workplaces for the LGBTQIA2S+ community – either LGTBQIA2S+ or straight – we would like to share their contributions as part of this article. We will be extending the submission deadline to the end of the week and adding to the article as submissions come in, so please check back with us. To make a submission, please visit THIS PAGE and fill out the nomination form. 

Janine Davies

Executive Director

Raymond James Canada Foundation

Tell us why this person deserves recognition for their contributions related to LGBTQIA2S+ rights/issues in the workplace or how a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community has contributed to your HR team.

Under Janine’s leadership, Raymond James has formed three separate diversity and inclusion councils. A national council that oversees two other regional councils in the east and the west regions. Janine collaborates with Pride leaders like Caryl Doliko to deliver webinars to bring about change in an organic manner. And it is not surprising for her to receive countless emails from associates expressing their gratitude and even sharing their stories with her.

What sets Janine apart is that she always asks associates what changes they want to bring about at Raymond James. Her participative leadership style always inspires others to join and contribute to the momentum. Raymond James now have lovely Pride swag like flags and stickers for associates to show support. But for Janine, more can be done and more should be done, and she has many plans for the firm to support the rights of our LGBTQIA2S+ community. Janine’s main goal here is to provide physical and psychological safety for all associates.

What do you and/or your workplace have planned to celebrate Pride this year?

This year, because of COVID-19, 98 per cent of our office pivoted to a remote environment. However, Janine continues to leverage technology for her cause.

Recently, Janine hosted a webinar on Pride with Caryl Doliko called “PRIDE- A conversation with Caryl Doliki”. This was also followed by a Townhall meeting with our CEO Paul Allison where a spirited “inclusion and diversity Q & A ” took place between the participants. Pride swag has been made available to all associates to show their support. Also, we are asking our associates what they want to make Pride celebrations unique this year.

Virtual Ways To Celebrate

Because of COVID-19, we won’t be able to gather publicly to celebrate Pride this year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to celebrate virtually and include everyone from your workplace. There are a ton of great events going on virtually (30 to be exact) which you and your co-workers can participate in. 

A couple of suggestions we have that would also serve as a great team bonding activity is breaking for lunch at noon and spending 15 minutes watching Drag Story Time with Mina Mercury, and then maybe meeting up afterwards for a quick Zoom team check-in. Or, encourage your staff to attend the Vancouver Queer History Panel and learn more about the past. And last but not least, celebrate Pride at the Van Virtual Pride on August 2nd. 

We hope all organizations take a bit of time this week to celebrate and support their staff, as well as reflect back on their own inclusiveness practices.

Pride At Work Canada – LGBT Workplace Inclusion – Online Learning

PRIDE Art walk – Until Aug. 3, 2020

Drag Story Time with Mina Mercury – 12:00 PM daily

Drag Deliveries – 1-2:00 PM daily

Anti-Racism Workshop Series – July 26-30 – Various Times

What’s In My Box? – July 28-30

Pride Fam Pajama Jam Family Friendly ZOOM Party! – July 28, 7:30-8:30 PM

Vancouver Queer History Panel – July 29, 3:30-5:00 PM

Global Queer and Trans Rights in a COVID 19 World – July 30, 6:30-7:30 PM

Drag UP!! – August 1, 7:00-8:30 PM

Public Disco presents: Kaleidoscope – August 1, 2020, 9:00-11:30 PM

Van Virtual Pride – August 2, 12:00-4:00 PM – THREE EVENTS, ONE STREAM!

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