Inclusive Job Advertisements

Add an equal opportunity (or ‘pro-diversity’) employer statement to recruitment advertisements with directions on how to request accommodations during the hiring process

See below on this page for details about how to complete this commitment.

⚠️ Instructions To Complete This Commitment:

Commitment:

Add an Equal Opportunity Employer Statement (or ‘Pro-Diversity’ Statement) to recruitment advertisements with directions on how to request accommodations during the hiring process.

Please complete all of the below requirements.

Part 1: Two Job Advertisement (all employers: first-time and returning signatories)

Place two job advertisements in 2025, ensuring they meet these three requirements:

Expresses that your organization values inclusion. As much as possible, the statement should provide further information about how inclusion is protected and practiced in your organization. See Resources for examples.
Invites applications from underrepresented talent pools.
Provides directions on how to request accommodations during the application and hiring process. (To protect applicants’ privacy, it’s best if the contact for accommodation requests not be the hiring manager; a Human Resources contact is ideal).

Your two advertisements must include all 3 of the above components to meet 2025 Workplace Inclusion Charter requirements.

If you are not recruiting in 2025 and do not need to advertise, please contact Vecova for support about how to complete this commitment.

Please submit evidence for feedback as soon as you have completed this commitment.

Part 2: Reflection (returning employers only)

Provide a short reflection (150-300 words) on your organization’s progress over the past year, addressing:

Any changes or improvements made to your equal opportunity statement this year based on feedback or best practice
Whether you received any accommodation requests and how they were handled – be mindful of confidentiality, and do not share distinguishing information about the individual(s)
How you measured or observed the impact of inclusive job postings (e.g., applicant diversity, feedback from candidates)

Why do returning employers need to provide this reflection?

Organizations that completed this commitment in 2024 need to continue meeting this commitment. We are asking returning employers to move beyond simply including an equal opportunity statement, and toward assessing and improving it’s real world impact.

Submit Evidence When You have Completed This Commitment

Once you have completed each of the above requirements, upload your evidence using our online form as soon as possible. This allows time for review and feedback.
Evidence may be in the form of a document, email, newsletter, meeting minutes, social media post, etc.
Deadline to submit all evidence for the 2025 WIC: 3PM, Monday, December 1st, 2025.

Click Here To Submit Your Evidence

⏰ Key Dates:

Important dates to remember:

By December 1st, 2025: Deadline to submit evidence of your two Job Advertisements and Reflection (if applicable) for review.

✅ Why This Commitment Is Important:

Equal Opportunity Employer Statements tell candidates that your workplace values diversity and is working to build a safe and equitable workplace. They invite candidates with diverse backgrounds to apply and request any accommodations they may need during the interview process. They also set a tone and reinforce an inclusive workplace culture.

Equal opportunity employer statements are not sufficient on their own and should be used with complementary actions in your workplace. They are a tool to communicate your organization’s values and attract diverse talent.

Intended Outcomes:

Encouraging Diverse Applicants – Signals that candidates from underrepresented groups are valued and welcome.
Reducing Barriers in Hiring – Ensures an accessible recruitment process by inviting accommodation requests.
Building Reputation & Ensuring Compliance – Strengthens employer branding, builds trust, and aligns with legal and ethical standards.

📝 Resources:

Helpful Dos and Don’ts for EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) or pro-diversity statements:

Why EEO Statements Fall Short

Examples of Impactful Equal Op portunity Statements in Job Ads and 5 Steps to Creat e One

Draft Equal Opportunity Employer Statement for Bow Valley WIC signatories:

“[Organization name] is committed to building a workplace where everyone can succeed and belong. As a Signatory to the 2024 Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter, we are working on [#] commitments this year to build an even more diverse, equitable, and inclusive team environment.

[Add additional information about how your organization advances and protects diversity, equity, and inclusion, specifically related to the hiring process.]

We value a wide range of skills, experiences, and backgrounds and encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We are working to eliminate barriers for applicants and team members from equity-seeking groups. If you can’t apply online or need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact…”

Example statements borrowed from public job postings:

City of Edmonton: “The City of Edmonton is committed to inclusive, respectful and equitable workplaces that represent the communities we serve. We continuously improve our systems, policies and practices to remove barriers and ensure our employees, in all their diversity, can succeed. We value applicants with a diverse range of skills, experiences and competencies, and encourage you to apply. To learn more, see the Art of Inclusion: Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework here: https://bit.ly/3hd2d95.”
University of Calgary: “The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.”
Statistics Canada: “Statistics Canada is committed to the principles of diversity and employment equity under the Employment Equity Act, and strives to ensure that our workforce reflects the diverse nature of Canadian society. In support of our strategy to achieve employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal people, Persons with a Disability and Visible Minorities.”

More recommendations for inclusive career advertising: