In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on anti-discrimination strategies in the workplace.
But two judgements in Ontario and B.C. illustrate that what constitutes discriminatory behaviour in the workplace is always evolving, and even the most DEI-conscious employer can be found guilty of bias.
“We keep identifying these ways that we implicitly, and without knowing, end up marginalizing or overlooking or hurting employees in the workplace, often unintentionally,” said Jennifer Berdahl, professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia. “But as soon as it gets pointed out, it’s something that you have to become aware of, and you can’t rely on this ‘Oh, I didn’t mean to,’ anymore.”
