Equity Diversity Inclusivity

Grey Wood Block
Truth Reconciliation-The Collective

Overview

We recognize that people and diversity are our greatest assets. Without any formal policies, we have built a company comprised of multigenerational high-performers with diverse backgrounds, countries of origin, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and religions. Almost two-thirds of our employees are women and half the leadership team are women. Since 2021, The Collective’s EDI vision statement is managed by an employee-led Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Committee.

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Vision Statement

To embrace the full spectrum of diversity within our workforce, foster a culture that values differences and ensure equity and inclusion for everyone, both within our own organization and in the communities within which we live and work. We will hold ourselves accountable for constant progress, measured against our stated objectives through regular reporting and communication to our staff, business partners and customers.

Pillars

The Collective developed a framework with four pillars—Diverse Workforce, Inclusive Workplace, Community Engagement, and Accountability & Measurement. By having these pillars, The Collective can build a comprehensive approach to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that these principles are integrated into various aspects of our operations and culture.

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Diverse Workforce

Foster a culture of respect, equality and inclusivity for everyone, both inside and outside our company. We believe our diversity of experiences, cultures and backgrounds provide a better workplace environment. It involves actively recruiting and retaining individuals from various backgrounds and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.

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Inclusive Workplace

Create a culture that both values and raises the culture differences in our workplace. This includes promoting a sense of belonging, providing equal opportunities for growth and advancement, and addressing biases or barriers that may exist.

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Community Engagement

Establish an internal and external community of equity, diversity and inclusion. Endeavor to actively engage with the broader community, foster partnerships, and contribute to initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the wider society.

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Accountability & Measurement

Measure our performance against our own benchmarks, be accountable to our staff, partners and customers. Strive for establishing metrics, tracking performance, and implementing strategies to continually improve EDI efforts.

What We’ve Done So Far…

  • Bringing awareness and recognition to cultural holidays internally and externally.
  • Foster partnerships with local community organizations to bring greater diversity into the design community.
  • Conduct a comprehensive internal EDI training program led by a third-party organization.
  • Create internal surveys to track employee satisfaction, measure success, and seek feed back.
  • Review and guide policies and communications to identify diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations. Make recommendations for best practices.
  • Commit to engaging in open dialogue and set an example of behavior for Collective employees worldwide.
  • Implemented an internal onboarding process that educates employees on AODA guidelines and how to provide appropriate customer service to those with disabilities.
  • Designed all offices comply with AODA guidelines. All offices include accessible facilities, height adjustable workstations, and other accommodations to support a user's visible or hidden disability.

    BAIDA

    BAIDA believes in the future of Black Architecture and Interior Design. The organization works collaboratively to build up Black representation in the Canadian built environment. Most recently, The Collective and Teknion hosted a CEU event with BAIDA to engage black students with the architecture community and educate on design best practices.

    Drag Queen Bingo

    As part of Pride Month celebrations, The Collective and Studio TK California partner to host an annual Drag Queen Bingo. The event brings awareness to issues facing LGBTIQ+ community.

    Indigenous Celebration

    In recognition of the Day of Truth & Reconciliation, The Collective hosted a fundraiser for the Indigenous Spirit Fund, the fundraising arm of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) and Canada's largest Indigenous non-profit multi-service organization. Employees all donned custom orange and white enamel pins.

    The Collective acknowledges the lands upon which our Canadian offices are located as being part of the Treaty and Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Anishinaabeg, Attiwonderonk (Neutral),and the Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations. We recognize these peoples and their ancestors as those who inhabited and cared for these lands long before we occupied them.

    • BAIDA Group Shot
    • Drag-Queen-Bingo
    • Truth-and-Reconciliation-Pin

    Investment in Minority-Owned Business Partner in California

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    CAD Design Team in Central America

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    Community Partners - Ontario, Canada

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    Community Partners - California

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    Advisory Boards - Ontario, Canada

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    Business Management Advisory Committee & Business Administration Advisory Committee

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    Interior Design Advisory Committee