“To begin, together as a Board, the learning process around Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice matters including the issues/concerns, the impact and action needed by the Board, and the related influence/direction the Board wishes to have on CMLTO as an organization.”
The CMLTO Board of Directors embedded this in its work and planning for 2022 and beyond to further understand these important concepts and the resulting values which should become part of CMLTO’s core beliefs, organizational DNA, and way of doing business.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice Plan
As a direct result of their work on these important topics this year, the Board approved an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice Plan, which can be found below:
Equity:
The quality of being fair or impartial. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates opportunity and resources needed to reach an equal outcome.
Diversity:
Diversity refers to all the key ways in which people vary and form the basis for group identities.
Inclusion:
The action or state of including or belonging and being included in a group or structure. It is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
Justice:
Giving each person what they are due or what they deserve. Justice is the standard of rightness in the face of conflicts or misconceptions of what rights or resources people should receive. Restorative justice is the process of restoring a situation back to a just condition.
CMLTO Board of Directors Approach
To effectively address the complexities of equity, diversity, inclusion and justice, the Board has committed to ongoing dialogue and a measured, iterative approach. In 2022, this approach included a self-assessment of Board member’s perspectives on equity, diversity, inclusion and justice. The outcomes of this assessment formed the foundation of initial dialogue with staff and external experts which helped to provide insight into the nature of the equity, diversity, inclusion and justice challenges in our society. Also addressed were the related key dimensions of these challenges that Boards in our society are being called upon to address.
A draft set of Board Principles related to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice were drafted and discussed by the Board, and the approved principles are described further.
CMLTO Board Principles
An international consensus is forming that identifies the ultimate goals of equity, diversity, inclusion and justice, as:
- Creating a better, equitable world for everyone,
- Advancing an inclusive culture where people can belong, and
- Improving organizational effectiveness
Outlined below are a series of principles to which the Board has committed itself in relation to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice. These principles can be grouped into four categories as follows:
- Equity, diversity, inclusion and justice concepts are an integral part of the overall CMLTO values, vision, outcomes, policies and practices.
- Equity, diversity, inclusion and justice is embedded in CMLTO’s organizational culture as a core value, a means of achieving belonging, a source of innovation, a determinant of business success and sustainability.
- CMLTO is proactive and responsible to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice challenges faced by the broader community/society and recognizes that the organization is a microcosm of the society or broader communities in which CMLTO operates.
- CMLTO strives for excellence and includes equity, diversity, inclusion and justice thinking and initiatives as part of its success.
- CMLTO’s governance structure is supported by inclusive practices to mitigate circumstances of power and dominance.
- The CMLTO Board in it is governance leadership role views achievement of equity, diversity, inclusion and justice as an important part of vision and oversight in the Board’s role.
- The Board aspires to be a role model and inspire the organization to make significant achievement in equity, diversity, inclusion and justice.
- The Board is viewed as trustworthy by the public and the organization given its policy direction and equity, diversity, inclusion and justice behaviours.
- The Board publicly supports equity, diversity, inclusion and justice related approaches and behaviours, even if they are perceived by some to be controversial.
- The Board ensures equity, diversity, inclusion and justice is systemic, sustainable, and woven into the core being of CMLTO.
- The Board’s recruitment strategy results in transparent and equitable recruitment of all Board Members.
- The Board takes accountability for overseeing that the CMLTO leadership creates a psychologically and physically safe workplace.
- The organization’s talent management, advancement, and retention processes result in equitable relationships and treatment of employees.
- The organization’s reputation for genuine, quality equity, diversity, inclusion and justice efforts enhances its ability to attract diverse and under-represented employees.
- The CMLTO maintains equitable job design, classification, and compensation practices.
- Qualified diverse employees hold positions at all levels and functions demonstrating equity, diversity, inclusion and justice practices.
- The CMLTO’s policies and procedures regarding compensation benefits, work-life integration, and flexibility meet the organization’s commitment to decent work, psychological safety, and respect for human rights.
- The CMLTO values regular reputational risk evaluation on several equity, diversity, inclusion and justice matters such as racism, sexism, homophobia, harassment, and discrimination.
- CMLTO equity, diversity, inclusion and justice training and learning programs result in behaviour change that advances the organization’s strategy and enhances inclusion and equity.
- CMLTO successfully uses diverse teams, groups, networks, beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders to ensure programs and services are inclusive and equitable.
- CMLTO regulatory programs are periodically assessed for structural bias and adjustments are made to ensure that unconscious bias does not interfere with registration, quality assurance/continuing competence, and/or professional conduct objectives.
- CMLTO actively listens and learns about equity, diversity, inclusion and justice matters and issues that individuals may face coming into the medical laboratory professions.
Future Direction
The CMLTO Board of Directors recognizes that there is a steep learning curve in society and therefore in every organization, regarding equity, diversity, inclusion and justice, and therefore, the Board will work to evolve their equity, diversity, inclusion and justice principles over time. The set of principles that the Board has adopted are based on the best known information at this time.
An action plan based on the Board’s principles will be established which will have goals in at least each of the following areas, congruent with the Board’s governance philosophy and approach:
- Revisions to Board policy direction, which steer Board practices and Registrar & CEO organizational focus and behaviors,
- Revisions to Board recruiting practices (even in light of the fact that approximately half the Board is appointed to CMLTO by the government),
- Revisions to Board governance practices and/or processes, and
- Board monitoring the Board and Registrar & CEO results in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion and justice.
Through the Board’s action plan, relevant Board policy will be reviewed and revised. This will then provide a clear mandate for the CMLTO Registrar & CEO to interpret the relevant policies, build operational action plans, and demonstrate measured progress in the relevant areas.
This plan will be released publicly as it is developed and approved to ensure that the public, registrants and all stakeholders understand the Board’s direction transparently. This document will be updated concurrently with the equity, diversity, inclusion and justice plan through a series of appendices.
Feedback regarding the CMLTO Board of Director’s equity, diversity, inclusion and justice principles, and plan are welcome from the public, registrants and stakeholders at any time. Please send your questions, comments and feedback to executiveoffice@cmlto.com.
