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Our Strongest Resource is to Do What is Right

Yvonne Stanford, Lay Bencher

Yvonne Stanford, Lay Bencher

“A very significant aspect of this work is the drawing together of the energies and resolve of many participants over many years. Staff, Committee Members, Chairs and Benchers, rooted in their own individual stories, have all been drawn together to produce leadership for our profession, and action and initiatives that really advance the cause of justice and equality within it. Perhaps our strongest resource has been, and will continue to be, our collective ability to recognize and will to do what is right.” – Rod Jerke, QC, Bencher and EED Committee member

“We can celebrate many successes in the work of EED and its forerunners. However, bias and discrimination still exist in the legal profession and much remains to be changed. This is an honourable, self-governing profession that prides itself on advancing equality in society, and therefore cannot merely follow but must be in the forefront of societal change.”
– Yvonne Stanford, Lay Bencher

Implementing A Model Policy on Respectful Workplace

by Greg Francis, Equity Ombudsperson

Recognizing the importance of creating a respectful workplace, the Law Society of Alberta will soon implement a working relationships policy for its staff.

Once completed, it will be made available to the profession as part of our model equity policies for law firms. The Office of the Equity Ombudsperson (OEO) is available to assist the legal profession in Alberta in creating and maintaining its own respectful workplaces.

The OEO for the Law Society of Alberta is responsible for providing a proactive service to the legal profession on equality, equity and diversity management and education. It also provides a confidential and independent resource for the legal profession regarding complaints of discrimination and harassment.

Its mandate encompasses five key concepts: the promotion of equity, equality, and diversity, and the prevention of harassment and discrimination.

The OEO is available to assist lawyers in their capacity as employers, managers, and business operators to establish the necessary conditions for a respectful workplace.

Available services include:

Equity and Diversity CommitteeReview of existing employment policies and practices.
Strategies and suggestions for revisions and improvement.
Assistance with implementing changes in the workplace, including workshops and training.
Presentations, information and resource materials, on request, on creating a respectful workplace (including, of course, issues of equity, equality, diversity, harassment and discrimination).
Mediation services to resolve acute conflict arising from allegations of discrimination or harassment.

The creation and maintenance of a respectful workplace is an essential component of a successful business. Employees are more productive when they feel valued and treated with respect. A respectful workplace makes it easier to attract and retain good employees. By proactively moving to establish the necessary conditions for a respectful workplace, law firms demonstrate their commitment to employees.

The OEO is available to assist the legal profession in Alberta in creating and maintaining a respectful workplace. I encourage you to contact me with any request you have for services, 1-888-229-4769 or (403) 229-4769.

EED Milestones

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2004: LSA seen as leading edge with its model policies. Queen’s Counsel appoint-ment recipients included 25% women vs 13% in 2002. Four priorities identified in strategic planning process and working groups formed. A working group was established to review discrimination and harassment complaints.

2005: Committee oversees, among others:

creation of an aboriginal law summer student employment program,
policy for handling harassment complaints, and
policy development on workplace diver-sity and equality principles for work by outside lawyers and law firms.

2006: Committee confirms its mandate. Aboriginal law summer student employ-ment program launched. Office of Equity Ombudsperson brought in house.

Chairs of Equality Equity and Diversity Committee (1991-2006):

Ms. P. Lawrie J. Smith, QC 1991
Ms.Colleen Kenny, QC 1992, 1993
Dr. Sheilah Martin, QC and Mr. Stephen Hillier, QC Co – Chairs, 1994, 1995
Ms. Barbara Romaine, QC, 1996
Ms. Patricia Rowbotham, QC, 1997-98
Mr. Paul Sharek, QC, 1999
Mr. Norm Picard, QC, 2000
Ms. Mona Duckett, QC, 2001
Ms. Rhonda Ruston, QC, 2002
Ms. June Ross, QC, 2003
Ms. Yvonne Stanford (Lay Bencher), 2004
Mr. Rod Jerke, QC, 2005
Mr. Steve Raby, QC, 2006