Is Workplace Authenticity Practical or a Myth?
Given the recent and prolonged attention paid to social justice issues including systemic discrimination, it’s easy to understand why Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC), people with disabilities, and...
Hiring for Best Fit, Without Bias
Many people talk about hiring for 'best fit' in ways that sound compelling. In this blog, Dr. Helen explains how several types of assessment biases can creep into the hiring...
Feel Like an Impostor? Maybe You’re Just an Outlier …
Much has been written about the Impostor Syndrome but people who are outliers because of a quality that is peripheral to their skills and abilities (e.g., their gender, race, ethnicity,...
Buttering up the boss – from home
One of the classic inside jokes in Ottawa is that almost everything gets discussed – and even decided – during smoke breaks. The flatterer, the apple-polisher, the butt-kisser – there...
Pandemic Positives – Silver Linings and Hidden Opportunities Due to ongoing COVID-19 Limbo
It’s almost Canada Day 2020. Who would have thought we’d still be in COVID-19 limbo after 100+ days? As I reflect on the ‘before times’ I am noticing a few...
Surviving in Interesting Times – The Multigenerational Workforce
For the first time in history, four different generations are in the workplace simultaneously. This is fertile ground for creativity ... and conflict.
Alcohol and the Modern Holiday Work Party
Times have changed. Seeing movies and hearing stories about the annual Christmas parties in the past is a real eye-opener. Now, between worries around social anxiety, religious practices, addictions, and...
Back to life, back to reality … when we return to work without a smile
Each day there are countless people who will return to work after taking some much-needed time off for a summer ‘staycation’ or holiday. For many adults, including teachers and parents,...
What We Can Learn About Hiring from Viral Posts and Basketball
In this article, I use a viral post from LinkedIn and Barack Obama's insights about the Toronto Raptors' historic 2019 NBA Championship to describe what we can learn about hiring...
Scapegoats and the Glass Cliff: When Careers Get Derailed
Scapegoating and the glass cliff may sound like something made up or exaggerated. In this article, I’ll break down what these terms mean, who they affect and why.
Where Human Rights Meets Human Resources (Part 2)
In part two of this guest blog, Employment and Human Rights Lawyer Alayna Miller with Mann Lawyers uses current news stories and headlines to explain employers' human rights and human...
Where Human Rights Meets Human Resources (Part 1)
In part one of this two-part Q&A, Employment and Human Rights Lawyer Alayna Miller with Mann Lawyers uses current news stories and headlines to explain how human rights and human...
Digital Discrimination – The Algorithm is Rigged
Dr. Helen shows how seemingly neutral software platforms and their algorithms are facilitating new forms of age, race, and other forms of digital discrimination. Many potential applicants don’t even know...
Less Lonely at the Top: the Rewards of Leadership & Executive Coaching
It's lonely at the top. Modern leadership includes responsibility for staff in work environments that have grown much more complex - while also maintaining productivity and profitability. It’s no wonder...
Q&A with Dr. Helen – Ethical ways to support university admissions prep in Canada
Applicants can have high university grades but fail to gain admission to competitive programs because their applications are not written effectively. In this blog, I discuss some of the ethical...
Are high pedigree, Ivy League job candidates always the best?
The 2019 college admission cheating and bribery scandal is a reminder to evaluate ivy league and regular candidates carefully when hiring ... instead of treating certain labels as a proxy/substitute...
The Superwoman Syndrome, Even Harder than it Looks …
Recently, I was asked to speak at an International Women’s Day event that was being organized by Sigma Beta Phi Sorority (University of Ottawa). I was intrigued, I have not...
It’s a new day at work – why employee fulfillment will matter more
Currently, and in the recent past, the information or knowledge economy was the focus, and employees were the source of wealth creation. In the emerging purpose economy, a sense of...
The complexities of modern holidays …
In theory, modern holidays are lovely, often more inclusive occasions. But they can still be complicated for employers and employees alike. Most workplaces shut down for a few days, which...
Covering at Work – The Pros and Cons of Being Ourselves at Work
According to a report published by Deloitte, a surprisingly high number of people actively cover up aspects of their identities in the workplace that they believe are unwelcome and/or stigmatized.
Incidental Networking and the Hidden Value of a Diverse Network
In my experience, it’s clear that some people think it’s better to have a specific type of network. The unstated implication is that the best networks only include certain types...
Racism … Is it at your place of work?
So, here’s the question in my mind: even if well-intentioned, does one day of sensitivity or anti-bias training change the racial discrimination that will ultimately exist in organizations? The short...
Visible Disabilities … the unseen problems in the workplace
In the past, I've written about the experience of silently struggling with invisible disabilities. In this article, I address the challenges that people with visible disabilities face, and how often...
Q&A with Dr. Helen on Neurodiversity
Some of these big corporate players are seeing the benefits of hiring and leveraging the abilities of neurodiverse workers. I’m excited to see the light starting to shine on neurodiversity as...
Hidden Consequences of Online Screening
I recognize the advantages that business owners and hiring managers have when they use online screening methods. My concern is more about what happens when these screening tools are not...
It’s Impolite to Discuss Politics at Work – But What About Values?
We’re all entitled to our political and religious beliefs, and we’re entitled to keep those private. With that said, when it comes to values, our silence speaks volumes.
Silent Suffering – The Struggle of Invisible Disabilities
All your life you’ve been viewed as an ‘able-bodied’ person. So far you’ve been fortunate right? This may not be entirely accurate. Disability isn’t always visible; in fact, it can...