Social Commitments

At designACE, we support our employees’ diversity, equity, inclusion, career growth, learning, and work-life balance. We offer flexible work arrangements, learning opportunities, mentoring programs, wellness benefits, and more. Join us and make a difference. We have commitments for:

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

  • Career Growth and Learning Policy

  • Work-Life Balance Policy

 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

At designACE, we are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and a culture of inclusion in our workplace and communities. We believe diversity is a strength and a source of innovation and excellence, and we value every individual's unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions. We respect, prioritize, and champion dignity and human rights.

We recognize that systemic barriers and discrimination exist in society and the workplace, and are dedicated to eliminating them and promoting equity and inclusion for all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other aspect of their identity.

The principles of the Canadian Human Rights Act 1, the Employment Equity Act 2, and the Gender-Based Analysis Plus Framework 3 in our policies, programs, and practices guide us. We also align our goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Federal Speakers' Forum on Lived Experience 4.

To achieve our vision of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we will:

  • Implement fair and transparent recruitment, retention, promotion, and compensation practices that reflect our workforce and community's diversity.

  • Provide training and education on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics for all our employees and managers.

  • Establish mechanisms for consultation, feedback, and accountability on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and initiatives.

  • Support employee networks and affinity organizations that foster a sense of belonging and empowerment for underrepresented groups.

  • Celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of all of our diverse employees and partners.

  • Engage with our stakeholders and customers in a respectful and culturally competent manner.

  • Learn and grow so we can create content and a platform that is accessible to all. 

  • Collaborate with other organizations and community groups that share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We expect all our employees and partners to uphold this policy and contribute to creating a respectful, inclusive, and supportive work environments for everyone. Any act of discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated and will be addressed promptly and appropriately. We welcome feedback and suggestions on improving our diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Please contact Andrew Edwards if you have any questions or concerns about this policy or need accommodations or support.

Career Growth and Learning Policy

At designACE, we support our employees’ professional development and lifelong learning. We believe investing in our employees’ growth and learning is essential for achieving our business goals and creating a culture of excellence and innovation.

We recognize that our employees have diverse talents, interests, and aspirations, and we encourage them to pursue their career goals and expand their knowledge and skills. We also value sharing expertise and experience among our employees and partners and foster a culture of mentoring and collaboration.

To achieve our vision of a workplace that supports career growth and learning, we will:

  • Provide our employees with various learning opportunities and resources, such as online courses, workshops, webinars, conferences, books, podcasts, etc.

  • Allocate 10% of our employees’ time to learning, growing, and mentoring activities outside of on-the-job-learning.

  • Conduct regular performance reviews and career conversations with our employees to identify their strengths, areas of improvement, and development needs.

  • Create individual learning plans for our employees based on their goals and interests.

  • Support our employees’ participation in external learning programs or certifications relevant to their roles or career aspirations.

  • Facilitate internal mobility and rotation opportunities in line with learning plans for our employees to gain exposure to different functions or skills.

  • Establish formal and informal mentorship programs and opportunities that connect our employees with a network of mentors or mentees within or outside the organization.

  • Reward and recognize our employees’ achievements and contributions to their own and others’ learning and growth.

We expect all our employees to uphold this policy and take ownership of their learning and growth. We also hope they support their colleagues’ learning and development by sharing their knowledge, feedback, and advice. We welcome feedback and suggestions on improving our diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Please contact Andrew Edwards if you have any questions or concerns about this policy or need accommodations or support.

 Work-Life Balance Policy

At designACE, we are committed to promoting a healthy and flexible work environment that respects our employees’ personal and family needs. We believe work-life balance and overall personal wellness are essential for employees’ mental and physical health, productivity, and engagement.

We respect that our employees have active lifestyles and responsibilities outside of the workplace, and pledge to support them in finding a balance that works for them and the organization. Quality over quantity of work is what we value, and we encourage employees to work smarter, not harder.

Our vision of a workplace that supports work-life balance includes the following:

  • Provide flexible work arrangements for our employees, such as telework, a compressed work week, flexible hours, part-time work, etc., subject to operational requirements and approval.

  • Respect our employees’ personal time and boundaries, and avoid contacting them outside of their regular working hours and responsibilities.

  • Encourage employees to take regular breaks and mandate the use of allocated vacation and paid time off.

  • Honor and respect our employees’ leave entitlements for personal obligations and situations.

  • Support our employees’ participation in social and recreational activities that enhance their physical and mental health and foster a sense of community.

  • Educate our employees and managers on the importance of work-life balance and provide them with clear policies, tips, and resources to help them achieve it.

  • Monitor our employees’ workload and stress levels and proactively address any issues or concerns promptly, compassionately, and appropriately.

We expect all our employees to uphold this policy and be responsible for their work-life balance. We also expect them to respect their colleagues’ work-life balance and support them in achieving it. We welcome feedback and suggestions on improving our work-life balance practices. Please contact Andrew Edwards if you have any questions or concerns about this policy or need accommodations or support.