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HREO Distributes Survey
Low return rate could affect Guelph's eligibility for federal funding
The Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO) distributed a workforce survey last week to recently hired U of G employees and will be sending reminders out over the next couple of weeks to employees who haven't submitted a survey in the past.
The purpose of the survey and reminders is to enable the University to obtain an accurate picture of the composition of its workforce and to measure its progress towards employment equity, says Patrick Case, director of human rights and equity.
“Filling out the survey is voluntary, but I hope everyone who's received one will participate because it's vital that we have accurate information to do our work,” says Case, who stresses that survey responses are held in strict confidence and are used only for employment equity purposes. He notes that even if someone chooses not to fill out the survey, it must still be returned to the HREO.
Besides being essential for the success of the University's employment equity work, the survey is an important part of Guelph's commitment to the Federal Contractors Program (FCP), says Case. Under that program, organizations that have more than 100 employees and want to be eligible for federal contracts of $200,000 or more and research grants from the federal granting councils must demonstrate a commitment to implementing employment equity. The University has already received millions of dollars to date.
The FCP is currently auditing the University, says Case, and low rates of return on the survey could affect Guelph's eligibility for federal support.
“There's a lot at stake in terms of funding, in terms of the University's ability to ensure that its employees are treated fairly and equitably, and in terms of our credibility. The survey isn't just a piece of paper — it's a piece of our future at the University of Guelph.”
The survey can also be filled out online on the HREO website at www.uoguelph.ca/hre.