Your Digest
Young Sikhs energize annual Sikh Nation blood donation campaign
Hundreds of Sikhs across Canada will take part in group blood and plasma donations during Sikh Nation’s annual campaign Oct. 31– Nov. 30, 2022. This campaign is designed to unite people to remember their past while donating blood and plasma to help patients in Canada. As the campaign marks its 23rd anniversary, young people who were not yet born in its early years are now volunteering and donating, further strengthening and diversifying our donor base. Sikh Nation has become Canadian Blood Services’ largest contributor to the pledge-based Partners for Life (PFL) program. Read more on blood.ca about Sikh Nation’s efforts to make all the difference for patients.
Navigating your development and career growth
A refreshed Your Development section on Connect is making it easier for employees to develop a clear path for career growth. Focusing on your development not only helps you gain more knowledge, but it can also provide greater purpose, direction and feelings of achievement — all of which bolster our overall sense of wellness. This section is now easily accessed under the ‘About You’ section on Connect and has six main categories to guide you through current and future career plans. Find more details on Connect and print this one-page resource guide to help you on your journey.
Happy, healthy and giving back, thanks to plasma donors
To look at Jayden Liuzza today, you’d never know she beat a life-threatening illness as a pre-schooler. “I am now 16, in my third year of high school, and I am more outgoing than ever,” says Jayden, who lives with her parents in Mississauga, Ont. In fact, 12 years after her recovery from a rare disease, Jayden takes part in competitive dance events and is an ambassador for charitable organizations that supported her through her illness and treatment. And it’s all possible thanks to plasma donors who have made all the difference for Jayden and her family. Read her story on blood.ca.
Send us your feedback on the latest town hall (recording now available)
During last week’s town hall, our CEO, Dr. Graham Sher, and his guest panelists addressed important updates and provided responses to many employee questions on various topics, including our vision for hybrid work. In case you missed it, you can access the recording on our employee portal or listen to the podcast on Connect on the Go. To improve future live events with our CEO, we ask you to please take a moment to provide us with your views by completing this anonymous three-minute survey by Friday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. ET.
Question of the day
Just wondering why the organization did not recognize Diwali? It is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs across Canada and the world.
Canadian Blood Services has historically recognized a wide range of faith-based, cultural, heritage and diversity observances, and has continued to expand its recognition calendar in recent years. Now that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has evolved into a dedicated division with new and critical priorities to transform organizational practices and culture, we are undertaking work to evaluate our past approach.
We are focused on developing an evolved and intentional approach that ensures employees feel their identities are acknowledged and supported year-round, not just on specific holidays.
Efforts currently underway include the development of a clear framework for how we observe and support faith-based holidays, like Diwali, in the workplace. This includes how we will move beyond recognition and awareness to consider some of the more practical elements of observation, which involve creating and supporting faith-friendly spaces. (e.g. flexibility around employee schedules, providing quiet spaces for prayer or meditation).
We are also working towards providing supports to leaders so they can feel confident in facilitating and encouraging inclusive and meaningful celebrations and recognition within their own teams. We all have a responsibility for advancing DEI across the organization, and celebrating diverse faiths, cultures and experiences also needs to be a shared responsibility.
Becoming a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace doesn’t mean that we will actively celebrate every faith-based holiday or cultural observance going forward. But it does mean we will strive to create a workplace culture where employees feel comfortable and able to openly observe the days, traditions and practices that are most important to them.
If you have any questions, please contact dei@blood.ca.
