Don't Deny the Comply(ance)

Hello,

Steph L here, Bright + Early’s compliance lead. As we approach the end of National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month, I wanted to talk a little bit about it.

At Bright + Early, we’re all generalists, but have our areas of special interest or deeper practice. Personally, I’m passionate about compliance. Not because I’m boring and like rules and fines, but because I believe in worker’s rights. Compliance is a fascinatingly misunderstood attempt to deliver and regulate those where they’re needed most. In my work, I like helping people understand this better; when I get to see it “click” for people that compliance is actually FOR them, it’s the best.

In my work I invite leaders and employees alike to reframe compliance. Ditch that word, and think instead about how these “rules” are here to protect you, and your safety and your dignity. These protections were hard fought.

1 in 5 Canadians over the age of 15 have at least one disability. That’s just over 16 million working age people in Canada alone. In recent years, we’ve seen increased support and media coverage around mental health, however, the practical help often stops there. Despite regulations such as Ontario’s AODA and the US’s ADA, the day to day stigma around disabilities at work is real.

Unfortunately, that stigma, the risk of unfair treatment, and a very reasonable desire for privacy mean it’s common for employees to hold off on talking about their disability until it becomes too difficult to continue without having to disclose what’s going on. In turn, that makes it hard for managers to know what’s going on, let alone how best to help and accommodate them.

But there is help out there.

• Be proactive. If you’re in Ontario, AODA sets out clear standards for Ontario businesses in terms of how to meet the potential accommodation needs of their employees and customers. Their training provides a rich base understanding of different disabilities, human rights, personal and company obligations, and shares some serious stigma busting perspective. I even recommend businesses outside of Ontario take this training too– it’s that good!

• Also Ontario specific, this great piece from Lexa Cutler at SpringLaw outlines clearly and concisely what the responsibilities of the employee and employer are in accommodating for disabilities at work.

• In the US, AskJAN is a wonderful resource for both employees and employers seeking information about compliance and disability accommodations and what their rights and responsibilities are, along with potential solutions.

• This helpful tool (JDAPT) from the Institute of Working Health allows employees to complete an anonymous questionnaire on the extent their disabilities limit them from meeting key job demands, and how frequently. At the end of the questionnaire a comprehensive report is generated that details some practical things the employee can try for themselves, and some practical accommodations they canask for.

• And don’t forget HR! We are here to help employees and managers with individual accommodations, and of course, with setting you up to be a disability friendly workplace. Some things disability-friendly HR might be able to do include:

  • Offering no-strings attached remote work options, which helps your team members steer clear of contagious illness, helps them avoid a cumbersome or impossible commute, and allows team members better access to rest periods, their own physically modified space, and proximity to their healthcare team.

  • Running inclusive meetings

  • Working with your benefits broker to provide the most useful and comprehensive benefits plan in your budget. See our guide to building your benefits here.

If you are feeling stuck with how to get started, feel free to reach out to us. We'd be happy to help!

Stay Bright,

Steph

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• Psst! Ontario companies with 20+ employees, here’s your reminder that your AODA reporting is due Dec 31, 2023. You can access the reporting form here.

Coming Up

• In November, we’ll be at Austin Startup Week, SaaS North, and The Peak’s Bet on Canada Summit. See you there!

• We’re happy to share that Bright + Early is up for the “Most Philanthropic Startup” award at this year’s SickKids Tech For Giving Awards. They are having an event on November 7 in Toronto to hand out the awards and fundraise for SickKids Hospital.

• Halloween is October 31

• Indigenous Veterans Day (Canada) is November 8

• Veterans Day (US) and Remembrance Day (Canada) are November 11

• Diwali is November 12

• Transgender Awareness Week is the week of November 12

• Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20

• Thanksgiving (USA) is November 23

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