The Problem

As an employer in Nova Scotia, chances are you are facing similar challenges as other employers in the Province– it is harder to find workers than ever before. Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, make up 46 percent of the workforce. As they retire the generation that follows makes up just 30 percent of the workforce.  Moving forward there will not be enough skilled people to replace them.

 

The Solution

Employers who tap into the full potential of the province’s workforce by building a welcoming and inclusive work environment are poised to better attract and retain workers and compete more effectively than those who remain unprepared.

Looking to diverse and underrepresented groups as a source of new employees is an effective way to address recruitment challenges and skills shortages.  There is a wealth of skilled and talented people in Nova Scotia who are not effectively engaged in the workforce. Youth, mature workers, persons with disabilities, African Nova Scotians, Aboriginal Peoples, the immigrant workforce and others are often overlooked and their talents are wasted either by not hiring them or by under employing qualified candidates.

Diverse workers also benefit your company by bringing a unique and beneficial blend of skills, abilities, and perspectives to your workplace. Diversity can, in fact, make it easier for your company to understand and strategically respond to the marketplace and the needs of your clients.  

Building diversity and inclusion in the workplace can:

  • Support recruitment challenges and skills shortages
  • Improve employee satisfaction and retention
  • Provide better client service
  • Broaden community engagement
  • Foster innovation and problem-solving skills
  • Promote organizational values more fully

Barriers to employment that people face are often put there unintentionally.  Welcoming Workplaces is a web-based resource that was developed to support employers, like you, to identify and remove these barriers and access the full spectrum of Nova Scotia’s workforce.

Welcoming Workplaces is presented in four pillars.  These pillars represent four areas within a company that can be strengthened to build a truly welcoming and inclusive workplace:

 

Commitment to Diversity

Hiring Practices

Employees

Partnerships & Supports

 

Each pillar contains relevant information and tips, downloadable guides and templates, and links to valuable resources to help you strengthen your organization and build a truly welcoming and inclusive workplace.

You may want to start by completing the Diversity Assessment Tool. This tool will help identify the areas in your company that require strengthening and assist you in locating the relevant resources.