Inclusion in workplace leading indicator of talent retention

Calgary, November 7, 2022 – Today, the Calgary Chamber launches the second of its four-part series, Unlocking our Talent Potential: Building an inclusive and values-driven workforce, detailing recommendations to ensure our economy has the workforce participation needed to power it. Inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) are a competitive advantage for businesses, with 80 per cent of employees prioritizing inclusion when choosing an employer.

“Diversity and inclusion are table stakes when it comes to attracting and retaining talent and there is plenty of evidence showing that companies that embrace diversity outperform their peers,” explains Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "Everyone wins when our workforce - from junior to senior positions - reflects the diversity of our community. For that reason, we need policies - like affordable childcare and comprehensive benefits - to ensure we can maximize Calgary's economic potential.”

The Calgary Chamber brought together leaders from diverse sectors, career stages, and backgrounds to develop several recommendations to facilitate inclusion in the workplace.

Recommendations  

Address challenges to the delivery and accessibility of affordable childcare 

With women and parents re-entering the workforce more slowly than average, childcare agreements must be effectively implemented to reduce barriers to parents’ ability to work.

• Amend the 3 per cent cap on fee increases to 3 per cent plus inflation, reindexed annually.  
• Create a pathway for internationally trained educations to receive recognition of their foreign credentials. 
• Increase wage top-ups and index them to inflation to attract and retain early childhood educators. 

Incentivize and promote IDEA within Alberta’s workforce  

39 per cent of employees indicate they would change roles to work for a more inclusive employer, and 23 per cent cite having left jobs in search of more inclusive workplaces – a trend led by younger workers.

• Fund IDEA training for small business owners.  
• Permanently implement and expand eligibility for the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Institutional Capacity-Building Grant for post-secondaries. 
• Create an Alberta Accessibility Act, akin to legislation in similar jurisdictions.  

Position Alberta businesses as benefits leaders 

92 per cent of employees view benefits as important to their job satisfaction, with nearly one-third believing comprehensive benefits are as important as salary.

• Create tax incentives for businesses that offer student loan repayment as an employee benefit.  
• Facilitate access to affordable, high-quality mental healthcare. 
• Work with businesses to offer flex days for religious and cultural holidays.  

To read the full report and all recommendations, please visit: https://www.calgarychamber.com/unlocking-our-talent-potential

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About the Report: Unlocking our Talent Potential 

Unlocking our Talent Potential is a four-part series that provides policy recommendations and tangible solutions to some of the most pressing issues concerning the city’s talent crisis. Local businesses, thought leaders, and young Calgarians came together to share their insights on day-to-day labour challenges. These recommendations provide a framework for addressing the talent crisis today to ensure a resilient future.

Priorities

• Refine our immigration policies to grow our talent pool
• Build an inclusive and values-driven workforce 
• Strengthen Calgary’s reputation and brand 
• Invest in the infrastructure and programming talent needs 

About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce 

The Calgary Chamber exists to help businesses thrive. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification, and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization, we build on our 131-year history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, and across the city.

Media opportunities 

For media inquiries, please contact Shannon Hazlett, Senior Public Relations Advisor, at media@calgarychamber.com.