Canadian HR Reporter

E D I T O R I A L 6 www.hrreporter.com EDITORIAL Editor/Supervisor Sarah Dobson Employment Law Editor Jeffrey R. Smith Labour Relations News Editor John Dujay Production Editor Josh Lewis Contributors Laura Williams Natalee Ovbiagele CORPORATE Chief Executive Officer Mike Shipley Chief Operating Officer George Walmsley President Tim Duce Chief Information Officer Colin Chan Human Resources Manager Julia Bookallil ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Fred Crossley (416) 644-8740 ext. 236 fred.crossley@keymedia.com Vice President Sales John Mackenzie PRODUCTION Designer Ace Dequina Production Co-ordinator Ella Dayandante MARKETING AND CIRCULATION NAUK Subscriptions Co-ordinator Donnabel Reyes Marketing Co-ordinator Charlyn Macaraeg Global Head of Media Marketing Lisa Narroway ISSUE 34.07.2021 www.hrreporter.com Will diversity happen without CEO support? BEFORE I started working for Canadian HR Reporter — I can't believe it's been almost 15 years now — and came to know well the world of human resources, I too was a skeptic when it came to focusing on "diversity hiring," racial quotas or gender equality in recruitment. Why should people who were perfectly suited for a job — in skills, personality, experi- ence or background — be shunted aside for someone just because they tick a diversity box? I still hear it from friends today: "The best person for the job should get the job." It was only later that I came to learn what diversity hiring meant. This was not about selecting a woman or a person with a disability or a Black man for a position because of their gender or disability or race. This was about opportunity. If you're an employer that recruits from a particular campus, or advertises jobs on a particular website, or finds candidates through a particular network of people, you're limited to a small group who may be familiar and reliable, but lack diversity. There are most likely more diverse candidates who are just as capable and experienced, you're just not seeing them. Apparently, that message is still not heard or believed, judging by the comments of a U.S. executive. In talking to Bloomberg Television in June, Snowflake CEO Frank Slootman said his organization is "highly sympathetic to diversity — we just don't want that to override merit." Many CEOs feel the same way privately, if not publicly, he said: "We need to come to a more moder- ated, real place, and there's really no room for the hysteria and the outrage. We're CEOs, we run companies, we have to produce results… you can't get distracted in that mission." Those were controversial statements, especially after a year that included the Black Lives Matter movement. And later, Slootman walked back his comments, clarifying in a blog that he does not believe that diversity and merit are mutually exclusive when it comes to recruitment, hiring and promotion: "The truth is that all individuals are not treated equally... all individuals don't have the same oppor- tunities, be it in the workplace or in society as a whole. Corporate leaders like myself, and companies like Snowflake, must fight daily to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion help lead our thinking and our actions." But you have to wonder if he's saying what's necessary publicly and feels differently privately. And is this the same for many other CEOs? Because if so, HR could face quite a challenge in endorsing and promoting diversity if leadership is not in full agreement. Sarah Dobson, editor, Canadian HR Reporter group "We need to come to a more moderated, real place and there's really no room for the hysteria and the outrage." Contents of Canadian HR Reporter are copyright © 2021 Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent. Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. HST/GST # 79990 3547 RC-0001 Canada Post – Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement 41261516 International Standard Serial Number 0838-228X. The publishers accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, colour transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts or other materials must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. KEY MEDIA and the KEY MEDIA logo are trademarks of Key Media IP Limited, and used under licence by Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd. Canadian HR Reporter is a trademark of Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd. www.hrreporter.com Subscription price: Canada: $175 plus tax; US and International: $175 USD Canadian HR Reporter makes every effort to ensure accuracy in all items reported, but cannot accept responsibility for the representations or claims made by sources used. It is also not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. HR News at Your Fingertips THE LATEST NEWS Stay on top of essential late-breaking HR news and developments. THE BEST COMMENTARY Access trusted analysis and opinion on the cases and changes that are shaping the HR landscape. REGULAR E-NEWSLETTER Your profession can change quickly, which is why you need the freshest, most recent information. FOR READING ON ANY DEVICE Get the news and opinions you need on any device. Whether you read at work, or on the go, the newsletter adapts to your screen. SCAN TO LEARN MORE CHRR newswire sign up.indd 1 CHRR newswire sign up.indd 1 07/11/2020 2:02:27 pm 07/11/2020 2:02:27 pm

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