Bridging diversity: HHB prioritizes commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Halifax Harbour Bridges put Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the forefront this year, adding an EDI officer, hosting regular lunch and learn sessions and launching policy and educational measures to foster and enhance an inclusive and diverse work environment.
During African Heritage month HHB explored the province’s black history with lunch-and-learn sessions and the posting of the biographies of notable Nova Scotians like Carrie Best.
Groundwork and progress
HHB's commitment to EDI is rooted in its 2020 strategic plan and entrenched in the recently updated five-year strategic plan. It underscores the necessity for policies and programs to foster a diversified workplace.
Key milestones include the formation of an employee committee, enhanced EDI communication and education and the formal organization-wide adoption of an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.
"We’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time."
Carl Gannon, Human Resources Manager
New leadership and initiatives
To maintain momentum, a dedicated resource to coordinate EDI events and training is essential. The EDI officer’s role involves close collaboration with leaders, employees and community stakeholders to craft a comprehensive action plan to drive HHB’s EDI strategy. Additionally, the EDI Committee was renamed the EDI Employee Resource Group. This change clarifies its function as an employee forum for discussing EDI ideas and concerns, rather than the primary driver of EDI events or strategy.
Learning opportunities
To further the EDI agenda, HHB scheduled mandatory workshops for all staff. One of those sessions featured Greg Bradley, a retired lawyer and former director of Workforce Diversity at North America’s second-largest commuter railway. Bradley has more than 28 years of expertise in human resource management, diversity, equity and inclusion management, and workplace mediation.
