The City of Windsor is taking the first step toward a new approach in inclusion.
Windsor City Council heard Monday night a report detailing the first phase of the city's new diversity and inclusion initiative, which consists of new ideas in customer service and creating a diverse, welcoming workplace.
A goal of Mayor Drew Dilkens and the current council when they took office in the fall of 2014 has been to make Windsor's workforce as diverse as the city itself. Gayle Jones, the city's diversity and accessibility officer, says the key is for the city to train itself to be all-inclusive first.
"Phase One is looking inward at our corporation," says Jones. "Phase Two is going to be looking at a community approach at our services, and how we provide those services to the community."
City councillors approved the report, which included a complete rundown of the diversity initiative and the latest workforce census. Councillors also approved the spending of $62,800 to start the Phase One training.
Jones says the training, which is expected to begin almost right away in most city departments, is a more modern approach.
"We've been doing diversity, inclusion and human rights training for many years. This is enhanced training," says Jones. "It's trying to make sure that all staff have a good basic foundation of what it is to be tolerant."
Jones points out that even in one of the most diverse communities in Canada, there is diversity that is not visible. The new training will reflect areas such as mental health and wellness, socio-economic status, gender-based equity, and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Seven areas that the initiative will cover include the enhanced training, plus effective communication, leveraging technology, an inclusion campaign, initial benchmarking, efficient project administration and tailored departmental approach.
Jones says the latter area will be a specific form of training geared toward a particular department within the city.