ABOUT CODE
WHAT IS CODE:
CODE stands for Commitment to Opportunities, Diversity and Equity.
CODE represents a movement of business leaders, diversity and inclusion practitioners, community advocates and those with lived experience, coming together to achieve three critical goals:
- Expand awareness of the benefits of greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace and its positive impacts on organizational resilience, financial outcomes and customer relationships;
- Increase the number of organizations in Winnipeg making a commitment to enhance inclusion and equity in their workplace; and,
- Increase the implementation of actions taken by organizations to further diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace
CODE programming will include but is not limited to awareness campaigns, leadership workshops, educational conferences, job fairs promoting equity-deserving groups, workplace cultural competency training and innovative online resources and tools.
WHO DOES CODE SERVE?
As we work towards equity, CODE centers the experiences of:
- Women
- Indigenous peoples
- Racialized persons
- 2SLGBTQ+ people;
- and persons living with disabilities.
WHY IS THE CHAMBER LEADING THIS INITIATIVE?
CODE speaks to the moral imperative that is diversity, equity and inclusion, but in doing so, it tackles one of the biggest challenges facing business today – talent attraction, development and retention.
Based on many credible stats and reports, diversity, equity and inclusion is a key solution to economic recovery because it promotes talent recruitment and innovation. As Winnipeg’s biggest business association we are here to lead and guide our members with leading resources and events – and we believe all businesses would benefit by building a more inclusive workplace.
BENEFITS FOR MORE INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES:
- Are more likely to outperform their peers
- Are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets
- Are eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes
- Generate and foster fresh insights, new ideas and creative solutions
- Draw on the full talents of their people
Source: canada.ca
BENEFITS OF CODE
WHY SHOULD MY COMPANY OR MYSELF GET INVOLVED?
Based on many credible stats and reports, equity, inclusion and diversity is a key solution to economic recovery because it promotes talent recruitment and innovation.
CODE offers Winnipeg Chamber members access to credible resources and custom educational workshops that will help your organization along their journey of diversity, inclusion and equity. We know this journey is difficult and new to many, and we are here to help you navigate through it. CODE will also provide a number of opportunities for peer learning where organizations can connect and learn through an exchange of ideas.
BENEFITS FOR MORE INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES:
- Are more likely to outperform their peers
- Are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets
- Are eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes
- Generate and foster fresh insights, new ideas and creative solutions
- Draw on the full talents of their people
HOW WOULD CODE HELP ME AS A LEADER?
CODE will support organizational leaders by:
- Keeping your team more happy, engaged, and productive at your workplace
- Increasing the sense of belonging your own team feels at your workplace
- Providing educational tools and resources to address their own biases when managing teams and recruiting teams
- Providing educational tools and resources to build a more inclusive workplace
- Providing educational tools and resources to create more inclusive policies and work structures.
WHY IS CODE IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW?
Based on many credible stats and reports, equity, inclusion and diversity is a key solution to economic recovery because it promotes talent recruitment and innovation.
These reports also show that 67% of job seekers view diverse, equitable and inclusive workforces as an important factor when evaluating companies and considering job offers. This underscores why we believe it is key to stay competitive in your sector.
In fact, in a recent fall 2021 membership survey conducted by Probe Research, 7 out of 10 of our members surveyed stated diversity and inclusion is a priority for their organization.
GETTING INVOLVED
HOW CAN MY WORKPLACE GET INVOLVED?
Members can get involved in a few ways:
- Spend time to explore and use our free online CODE Resource Hub
- Attend our CODE 101s, workshops, conference and other events find events. View events here.
- Share CODE resources and social posts with your team and network, and use #CODE
- Share your story and tell us about how CODE influenced your diversity, inclusion and equity strategy at your organization (we are always looking for testimonials!)
- Be one of the first sponsors for our CODE initiative
WHO FROM MY COMPANY SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH CODE?
CODE is for everyone wanting to learn about inclusive workplaces; however, if we had to narrow it down, we would encourage senior leadership and your human resources department to engage with our CODE program.
HOW CAN MY ORGANIZATION SUPPORT CODE?
Members can get support and get involved in a few ways:
- Invest in CODE and help drive progress towards equity
- Spend time to explore and use our online CODE resource hub
- Attend our CODE 101s, workshops, conference and other events
- Share CODE resources and social posts with your team and network
- Share your story and tell us about how CODE influenced your diversity, inclusion and equity strategy at your organization (we are always looking for testimonials for our marketing!)
- Provide resources or templates you may have that other organizations may benefit from
IS THERE A COST TO GET INVOLVED WITH CODE?
No, it does not cost anything to get involved with CODE but there are workshops and events that will require a ticket cost.
Free resources and events include:
- Accessing our online CODE resource Hub
- Attending our CODE 101s
Paid resources:
- Attending keynote luncheons
- Attending CODE workshops
- Attending CODE conferences
HOW DO WE SIGN UP FOR CODE?
Members can get support and get involved in a few ways:
- Be one of the first sponsors for our CODE initiative
- Spend time to explore and use our online CODE resource hub
- Attend our CODE 101s, workshops, conference and other events
- Share CODE resources and social posts with your team and network
- Share your story and tell us about how CODE influenced your diversity, inclusion and equity strategy at your organization (we are always looking for testimonials for our marketing!)
- Provide resources or templates you may have that other organizations may benefit from
IS THERE A START OR FINISH FOR CODE?
There is no start or finish for CODE. This program promotes continual learning and supports organizations and individuals wherever they are on their diversity, inclusion and equity journey.
WILL THERE BE ANY REPORTING OR CERTIFICATION?
CODE Coalition members will submit an annual report usually due July 31st each year. If your organization has not signed on to the CODE Coalition, no reporting is required.
THERE’S A LOT OF STUFF HERE – HOW DO I KNOW WHERE WE SHOULD START?
A good first step is to attend one of our monthly CODE 101 virtual meetings hosted by Sanjana, our Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Sanjana can help answer any of your questions and help navigate you through the many resources and events. If you need to reach out to Sanjana one-on-one you can do so too!
WHY ARE YOU ASKING DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS IN MY MEMBERSHIP?
This information will help The Chamber best serve you and our business community. With this information, we will ensure that we are inclusive and accessible, and representative of the diversity in the city and our membership.
This survey will assist in our commitment to inclusion, and equity. Data collected from this survey will allow The Chamber and CODE to serve our members continuously and diligently. It will inform how we prioritize initiatives, set targets, and measure the impact of our work.
For more information on CODE:
Sanjana Vijayann
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
E: [email protected]
P: (204) 479-4423
