By Melissa Baluk on March 9, 2022
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UBC strives to foster inclusive environments for all faculty and staff, where those who are historically, persistently, or systematically marginalized are treated equitably, are respected, and belong.
Informed by UBC’s Inclusion Action Plan, consultations with community members, the Disability Affinity Group, and employment equity data, strategic efforts are underway to work towards the goal of reducing and eliminating barriers for disabled faculty and staff.
As part of this work, Human Resources is pleased to announce the launch of a new Centre for Workplace Accessibility (CWA) at UBC Vancouver. The aim of the CWA will be to help remove barriers, expedite the accommodation process, and where possible, minimize the medicalization of disability by identifying resources, supports, or workplace adjustments.
Effective April 2022, and in partnership with UBC’s Centre for Accessibility, this new supportive office will be housed in a central location on the Vancouver campus. In the coming weeks we will be recruiting three new full-time positions to provide confidential on-site or virtual support. The objectives of the CWA are to:
- Provide a central location where faculty and staff can confidentially discuss accessibility and accommodation needs, including information on the types of accommodations available, how to access them, and what to expect in the process.
- Expedite the accommodations process by, for example, purchasing accessible equipment, software, or support services and coordinating implementation where approved.
- Through a centralized Workplace Accommodation Fund, reduce any legitimate or perceived financial barriers that departments may have when accommodating a faculty or staff member.
- Wherever possible, minimize the medicalization of disability by identifying resources, supports, or temporary workplace adjustments that can be arranged without requiring supporting medical documentation.
- Increase awareness and education around inclusive workplace practices and the physical, social, and cultural barriers that exist for disabled faculty and staff.
The process for disability-related workplace accommodations for faculty and staff is currently supported by Workplace Health Services at UBC Vancouver and the Work Reintegration and Accommodation Program at UBC Okanagan. The CWA does not replace these programs, but rather is intended to enhance these resources by creating a central hub for faculty and staff to receive information, resources, and tools, and to support accommodations in order to promote meaningful participation in the workplace.
A Workplace Accommodation Fund will be set up to cover approved and reasonable expenses and reduce any perceived or legitimate financial barriers that departments may have, within acceptable financial limits or by established program guidelines. Funding for the CWA will extend into 2025.
Learn more about the CWA
We look forward to the evolution of the CWA and the support it will provide for disabled faculty and staff. This is an important part of UBC’s strategic efforts to ensure it is an inclusive and accessible environment for all our faculty and staff. We will provide further updates as this work progresses.
Posted in Catalyst #1: I am part of a diverse, inclusive, safe and vibrant workplace | Link | No Comments
By Melissa Baluk on March 8, 2022
UBC is recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2022. This designation recognizes employers across Canada with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.
Some of the reasons why UBC is selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers this year include:
- Since 2019, UBC hosts IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and/or People of Colour) Connections to provide a space for self-identifying staff to have candid conversations, collaborate, and coordinate when appropriate.
- Along with UBC’s longstanding Equity Enhancement Fund, the university recently launched a dedicated Anti-Racism Initiatives Fund to support initiatives that seek to celebrate and elevate diverse communities and advance anti-racism efforts — an annual allocation of $200,000 will be made available each year and students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to apply for the funds in support of anti-racism initiatives.
- UBC organizes a Through the Lens series of interactive workshops designed to enhance staff, faculty and community members’ understanding of diversity, while offering practical ideas for creating a more equitable and inclusive campus — the series aims to provoke meaningful conversations on issues of identity, intersectionality, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Read more about Canada’s Best Diversity Employers awards and the selection process at https://www.canadastop100.com/diversity/
Looking for resources or support to help you contribute to making UBC a respectful and inclusive place to work? UBC’s Equity & Inclusion Office offers resources and support to help us create a community in which human rights are respected, and equity and inclusion are embedded in all areas of life at UBC.
Learn more about how we’re making UBC an inspiring place to work through Focus on People 2025.
Posted in Awards, Catalyst #1: I am part of a diverse, inclusive, safe and vibrant workplace, Focus on People Framework | Link | No Comments
By Melissa Baluk on February 8, 2022
UBC is recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers in 2022. This award recognizes the British Columbian employers that lead as exceptional places to work – and who offer employees the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.
Here are three reasons why UBC was selected as one of BC’s Top Employers this year:
- UBC organizes an annual Thrive campaign to encourage mental wellbeing through dialogue, awareness, healthy choices, social support and normalizing mental health challenges — and offers generous coverage for mental health practitioners as part of its benefits plan (now up to $3,000 annually).
- UBC supports employees through various stages of life, from maternity leave top-up payments for mothers-to-be, to flexible work options to help balance personal and family commitments, to phased-in retirement work options for those in the later stages of their career.
- UBC offers a variety of professional development opportunities, including the UBC Hot Lunch initiative (monthly lunches with a senior leader who shares their personal and professional experience) and a digital speaker series featuring a number of distinguished guests.
Read more about BC’s Top Employers awards at https://www.canadastop100.com/bc
See also:
- Looking to join UBC? View our careers and job postings.
- Visit Focus on People 2025 to learn how we’re striving to make UBC a first-choice place to learn and work.
- Visit UBC Today for the latest news, events, and useful dates from across UBC, curated for faculty and staff by Internal Communications
Posted in Awards, Catalyst #1: I am part of a diverse, inclusive, safe and vibrant workplace, Catalyst #2: I can grow my career, Catalyst #3: I am shaping the future of research, teaching and work, Catalyst #4: I am inspired by diverse leaders who live UBC’s values | Link | No Comments
By Melissa Baluk on February 3, 2022
Over 6,300 faculty and staff participated in the UBC Workplace Experiences Survey (WES) in November 2021, and shared their feedback on their experiences of working at UBC.
Join the virtual open session on Monday, February 14, for a presentation of the 2021 WES Overall results. Hosted by Human Resources and TalentMap, the session will include a presentation of the overall results followed by Q&A.
Monday, February 14
11:00-12:00pm
Via Zoom – Register today
Posted in Focus on People Framework, Workplace Experiences Survey | Link | No Comments
By Melissa Baluk on January 18, 2022
UBC is recognized today as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People in 2022.
This award recognizes employers that offer the nation’s best workplaces and programs for young people starting their careers.
As we strive to make UBC a great place to learn and work for all, many programs and services are designed to welcome young employees and those who are new to the workplace, and help them grow in their careers. These programs include university-wide orientation and in-house apprenticeship programs, as well as coaching and career navigation services, workplace learning opportunities, tuition waivers and professional development funding.
This marks the tenth consecutive year UBC has been awarded this honour – here are three reasons why UBC was selected this year:
- UBC’s Postdoctoral Fellows Office is a resource centre that provides support, advocacy, and professional development for postdocs — the Office’s flagship initiative is the “Foundations of Career Planning” program, a three-part workshop series supplemented with sessions in personal and professional effectiveness, academic growth, career building and leadership.
- The office also manages a Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching Internship, a teaching development program to provide postdocs with an opportunity to develop and deliver guest lectures with a faculty mentor — the program includes a teaching-intensive workshop and a one-term mentorship program.
- UBC manages a Red Seal culinary apprenticeship program, enabling chefs to earn their certification while immersed in a full range of culinary experiences at the university.
As part of the university community, faculty and staff are invited to mental health training and workshops and are encouraged to take part in workplace wellbeing initiatives. In addition to these supports, faculty and staff have access to a range of physical health options, including athletics and recreation facilities, which complement UBC’s many attractions, at our Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
Read more about Canada’s Top 100 Employers awards at http://www.canadastop100.com/young_people/
See also:
- Looking to join UBC? View our careers and job postings.
- Visit UBC Today for the latest news, events, and useful dates from across UBC, curated for faculty and staff by UBC Internal Communications.
- Visit Focus on People 2025 to learn how we’re striving to make UBC a first-choice place to learn and work.
Posted in Awards, Catalyst #2: I can grow my career | Link | No Comments