Employment Equity

PSAC consultation on the Employment Equity Act

Is the Employment Equity Act making a Difference?

The PSAC Programs Section conducted a survey during the Fall of 2001, to assess membership experience with employment equity. The following summarizes the results of this exercise.

Who responded to our survey?

Over 500 individuals responded to the survey.

The responses received for each of the questions, are as follows:

1. Are you involved in employment equity work?

27 % yes 73% no

Of the ones who answered yes:

12% are members of a national joint union-employer employment equity committee

24% are members of a regional joint union-employer employment equity committee?

23% are members of a local joint union-employer employment equity committee?

57% are members of other workplace committees

2. Have you received any training on Employment Equity, particularly on the steps involved in Employment Equity?

23% Yes 76% No

3. Have you been involved in:

53% a workplace survey (self identification survey)?

11% a workforce analysis?

10% a review of policies and practices (Employment Systems Review)?

8% the identification of positive policies and practices?

9% providing information session to co-workers about employment equity?

17% responding to membership questions/concerns about employment equity?

4. Have you attended a union course/workshop related to employment equity?

11 % Yes 89% No

5. Is there clear organizational support for employment equity in your workplace?

37% Yes 63% No

6. Has your workplace received information/training related to employment equity?

41% Yes 59% No

7. Have you seen a copy of your employer’s employment equity plan?

26% Yes 74% No

8. In your experience, have concrete measure(s) been successfully used to promote the employment, the retention and the promotion of underrepresented equity group members in your workplace?

35% Yes 65% No

9. Are you familiar with the recommendations found in ‘Embracing Change’ report by the Task Force on the Participation of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service?

20% Yes 80% No

10. Have there been any discussion at your workplace regarding implementation of the recommendations found in ‘Embracing Change’?

9 %Yes 91% No

11. Are you familiar with Accommodation policies in your workplace?

22 %Yes 78% No

12. Are these policies flexible enough to meet individual needs?

28% Yes 72% No

Under the current Employment Equity Act, all employers covered by the Act are required to consult with employee representatives about specific matters related to the implementation of employment equity.

13. Is this occurring in your workplace?

23% Yes 77% No

14. Is this process adequate in your view?

16% Yes 83% No