Impactful, equitable change is an iterative process, requiring incremental and ongoing advancements to our recruitment, hiring, retention, training, and promotion processes. To ensure the University is fostering diverse talent and reaching under-represented communities, U of T thoroughly reviews employment equity data provided voluntarily by applicants and new hires.
In order to understand if we are making progress on our commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion, all faculty, staff and librarians of the University are invited to complete the Employment Equity Survey. This data is reflected in the annual Employment Equity Report, which provides a snapshot of the composition of the University’s tri-campus employees and provides a critical foundation from which to measure how we are advancing a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment.
Recognizing that inclusive excellence thrives in learning and working environments that embrace, value, and support diverse communities, the University engages in a range of initiatives and programs to enhance employment equity.
A selection of such programs and initiatives include:
Indigenous Mentoring Day
Enhancing outreach, building relationships and recruitment practices by providing an annual forum for Indigenous job-seekers to learn more about careers at U of T through one-on-one mentorship and to connect with Indigenous employers.
Your Journey: A Career Guide for Trans and Nonbinary Students
Recognizing and responding to key employment barriers faced by trans and nonbinary students with a first-of-its-kind resource in Canada to help support trans and nonbinary students as they navigate the workplace.
Diversity in Academic Hiring Fund
The Provost’s Diversity in Academic Hiring Fund has funded 100 continuing faculty positions, most targeted specifically to fund Black and Indigenous hires, since launching in 2016. This fund signals support for the hiring of outstanding faculty in these underrepresented groups as an important academic priority. Funding for 20 additional hires was announced for the 2020-21 academic year.
Diversity Internship in the Divsision of People Strategy, Equity & Culture
Offering a one-year paid position for recent HR graduates who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, Racialized, and persons with disabilities, the Diversity Internship program is carefully designed to be both educational and practical, giving incumbents a better understanding of the role of HR at the University, and more broadly in the public sector. In doing so, it aims to jump-start the careers of those who are underrepresented and often face systemic inequities.
Connections & Conversations
Connections and Conversation is an affinity group for racialized U of T staff and their supporters. Connections and Conversations works with the University in fostering learning, working and living environments that are racially equitable, diverse and inclusive.
Queer U of T Employees (QUTE)
An employee resource group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) staff and faculty who work at the University of Toronto.
Elev8 Program @ UTSC
Elev8 is a robust training program that includes a series of professional development modules, designed and led by racialized coaches and facilitators, that aim to challenge assumptions and bring clarity, training, and support to UTSC staff as they develop professionally.
The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Annual Report details more about some of the ongoing work to continue advancing an inclusive, diverse and equitable U of T, where everyone belongs. Understanding the U of T community drives the development of programs and initiatives which aim to reach under-represented communities across the three campuses.