Jacob Gee
Placement Student with Build ON
Are you interested in working in Canada, but discouraged because you have a physical disability, mental disability, are pregnant or believe you have another employability disadvantage? Well we at Build ON want you to know that getting involved in a career of your choice in Canada is always attainable regardless of your situation. Canada is a very diverse country with people from lots of different countries, diverse backgrounds and various abilities. One of our strongest beliefs as a nation is that anyone can contribute and add value to their surrounding communities. To this end, Canada has a legal obligation not to discriminate because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability and conviction according to the Department of Justice. This list comes directly from The Canadian Human Rights Act, which is a legal document that all citizens in Canada must adhere to. This means employers are mandated to give you consideration for employment all the way to workplace accommodations no matter what your situation is.
Discrimination can be very broad and cover many actions in regards to employment. In Canada employers have a responsibility to make sure that their policies and practices are not discriminatory. This means they must treat their employees or potential employees equally. Here are some examples of specific things employers cannot do that are displayed in the Canadian Human Rights Act. They cannot advertise a job that specifically points out a preference or refusal of consideration to any specific group/groups of people; an employer cannot deny an employee advancement, segregate an employee or suspend an employee based on the categories of discrimination that I listed above; employers are not allowed to pay different wages based on a person’s gender (male or female). These are just a few examples of discriminatory practices and this is not an exhaustive list. Discrimination can unfortunately make its way into interviews, but the good news is that Canadian law also protects you during interviews.
As you come into Canada and look for work in your desired field you will be going to many different interviews and eventually obtain a position. There are interview questions that are also viewed as discriminatory. Examples of unfair interview questions are, “are you planning on having a baby in the next year”? “Will your disability prevent you from getting to work”? “Do you have elderly persons you need to take care of at home”? If you are harassed during your employment or are asked unfair questions you are entitled to make a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The commission’s vision is to have an inclusive society where everyone is valued and respected. If you have a complaint you can go to their website and find out how to make a formal written complaint based on your individual situation. Alternatively, you are able to inquire about how to report your complaint by calling or writing to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. As you can see whether you have a disability, are pregnant or have any other unique situation Canada’s duty to accommodate individuals in the workplace will help protect you against any unfair employment practices. As a Build ON client, feel free to talk to your Employment Consultant if you have any further questions on this topic or register with us to book a consultation with our Employment Consultants.