Diversity and inclusiveness
Making a difference for our clients and our communities starts with fostering an inclusive environment for our people. It’s not just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do. And it’s one of the reasons we’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2012.
Inclusiveness is about much more than creating an open and equitable environment based on race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age and physical ability. It’s about embracing the different ideas, perspectives, skills and experiences that diverse individuals bring to the table — and putting them together to address familiar problems in new and innovative ways. And it’s that kind of forward and open thinking that our clients expect us to provide. After all, we serve some of the most dynamic and innovative businesses in the world — companies as diverse as the customers and communities they serve. Our inclusive culture empowers us to offer the flexibility and creativity our clients need to achieve their potential.
National and local initiatives
To meet the needs of our people, we’ve established numerous national and local initiatives. Our Ethnic Diversity Task Force, Gender Equity Advisory Group, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Task Force, networking groups for women, affinity groups and targeted mentoring programs for a variety of people are all overseen by our full-time Inclusiveness Leader.
Our commitment to accessibility
Just as we're committed to respecting the dignity and independence of our people, we offer this same commitment to our clients and potential clients in making our services equally accessible to them. Learn more about the variety of ways we carry out this commitment.
The corporate sponsor as hero – Advancing women into leadership roles
Our report explores the meaning of sponsorship in today’s business environment and the characteristics of those individuals who assume the role of sponsor. Senior leaders — both male and female — can take concrete steps to minimize gender disparities and help advance women into leadership positions in their organizations.
Make a difference: Work differently
(As originally appeared in Financial Post, 15 March 2011)
In our globalized economy, growth, innovation and talent can come from anywhere. Never before have opportunities, or indeed competition, been so evenly distributed around the world's markets. Globalization continues its fast pace, enabling the free flow of ideas, technology, capital and labour across borders. Yet globalization does not mean homogeneity.
Leading across borders
How do you facilitate inclusive thinking in an interconnected world? Our study reveals that achieving this in today’s global marketplace means challenging the status quo.
Why Directors Should Champion Diversity: Research finds tapping diverse talents boosts profit, reduces ‘groupthink’
(As originally appeared in Director Journal, November 2010)
In today’s increasingly global economy, diversity is no longer a feel-good best practice for companies, it’s a business imperative. In order to hone a global competitive advantage, it’s vital that we build diverse, inclusive workplaces that attract and keep the most talented people.
Diversity fundamental to business strategy
(As originally appeared in FEI Canada F.A.R. member e-newsletter, October 2010)
In today’s highly competitive global economy, workplace diversity is no longer a “nice to have” HR policy. It’s a business imperative. Once viewed as a feel-good objective built around morality and fairness, diversity and inclusiveness are crucial to attracting and keeping the best talent. They also have a bottom-line impact. Top companies demonstrate that nurturing diversity of thought translates into a competitive edge.
Getting support, supporting others: A handbook for working with non-visible disabilities
As part of our inclusive mindset, we’ve developed this handbook to help people think through some of the challenges around non-visible disabilities. The guidance is designed for people with disabilities, their supervisors and coworkers, and for organizations’ human resources or accommodations support teams.
Diversity Briefing: Questions for Directors to ask
The Risk Oversight and Governance Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants commissioned Ernst & Young to write this briefing to raise awareness of the importance of diversity, both within organizations and on boards, and to provide practical steps to help directors address diversity issues as part of their oversight responsibilities.
Vision for Inclusive Boardrooms
As our economy recovers, Canada’s businesses are seeking ways to gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Fostering more diversity and inclusiveness in our organizations, especially at the top, is a powerful way to create that. Learn more in Vision for Inclusive Boardrooms: Canada as Leader (2.7 Mb - published by Corporate Knights, with a forward by Ernst & Young Canada Chairman and CEO, Lou Pagnutti).
The new global mindset: innovation through diversity
Diversity no longer refers to just race or gender. It includes age, culture and education. See how to develop an inclusiveness mindset to foster innovation in our online feature. And read the article written by our Inclusiveness Leader, Jeannine Pereira: The new global mindset: fostering diversity and inclusion (As originally appeared in Director Journal, April 2010).
Scaling up: women-owned businesses
Women entrepreneurs own or operate up to one-third of all private companies around the globe. Far from being a niche market, they could be the tipping point for a global economic comeback. Get a fresh look at the productive potential of women in this special report.
Groundbreakers: Using the strength of women to rebuild the economy
In troubled financial times, hope for a brighter future resides largely in the world’s potential for renewed economic growth. Our research, "Groundbreakers: Using the strength of women to rebuild the world's economy," demonstrates that the increased participation of women in business could significantly enhance global growth.
Press releases
It gets better for LGBTA on Bay Street
As the internet wave of It gets better videos supporting young LGBTA continues, it’s important for Canadians of all generations to know that “it gets better” right here on Bay Street, too. Ernst & Young offers some practical suggestions on how businesses can ensure that it’s always getting better.
Research shows that diverse teams outperform homogenous teams when managed properly
Most companies believe diverse teams and experience improve both the financial performance and the reputation of their organizations. Yet many struggle to put their beliefs into action, says Ernst & Young, named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2011 for the fourth consecutive year.
Ernst & Young named one of the Best Workplaces in Canada for the fifth consecutive year
Fostering a “people-first” culture attracts new talent, raises retention rates and performance levels, and builds commitment to the company’s success — all leading to better service for clients.
The Olympics are a unique opportunity to win with employees
The Olympics present a unique opportunity to connect with employees, and companies who successfully establish a combination of work and play have the most to gain.
