One of the benefits of getting connected and meeting people who work in places and industries you’re interested in is learning more about the work and career options that best align with your skills, interests and values.
A good place to start is connecting with organizations that are keen to hire, celebrate and acknowledge the value of LGBTQ+ inclusion in their workplace (if that is important to you). This can help you decide whether to apply to an organization or it may help you to navigate the application process as you examine various options in your field of interest. When evaluating an employer, there are several things to consider.
What to look for in an employer
- Does the organization have a clear mission, vision, or policy statement that includes diversity and inclusion on its website?
- Does the organization (or the employee union) provide benefits that support a diversity of employees? (family leave, paid sick leave, transition support)
- Does the organization have inclusive practices around gender identity and gender expression? Are there employee resource groups (ERGs) or employee affinity groups (e.g. Queer U of T Employees (QUTE))?
- Does the organization note on their job descriptions that applications from underrepresented groups are highly encouraged?
- Do they specifically identify trans people as one of these underrepresented groups?
- Does the organization offer multiple gender options on their job application?
- Has the organization celebrated or participated in recognized events like Pride or highlighted LGBTQ+ visibility in other ways?
- How has the organization presented themselves in the media with regards to LGBTQ+ issues?
- Are trans or nonbinary employees already a part of the organization and how have they described their experiences?
- Does the organization (or the employee union) provide benefits that support a diversity of employees? (family leave, paid sick leave, transition support)
National and international rankings of employers can be a good starting place to identify companies that are striving to be more inclusive. While these rankings can be helpful and may contribute to your assessment of the organization, these lists don’t replace the research you do on your own.
Some rankings of employers for diversity include Canada’s Top 100 Diversity Employers and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers
Return to Part One: Get Connected
