The British Columbia Lottery Corporation is once more showing recognition for its diverse employees by introducing a new inclusive holiday program. This new program allows its members the flexibility to swap up to six BCLC-observed statutory holidays in a calendar year for other days that may have a personal, cultural, or religious importance to them.
BCLC is a state-run Crown corporation providing regulated gambling products, including lottery tickets, casino entertainment and legal iGaming via PlayNow to the Province of B.C. Via its gambling operations, the Crown can support various initiatives and community groups, while also providing over CA$3.1 billion in annual revenue to the province.
Practices Must Keep Up with the Times
Sandy Austin, BCLC’s Chief People Officer remarked that as an employer, the Crown agency realizes that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to holidays. As the corporation promotes diversity, inclusion and belonging moves forward, so must its practices, said Ms. Austin. She said this was another step to build inclusive, equitable and safe workplaces and communities.
In order to advance diversity, inclusion and belonging to new levels, the Crown agency is guided by dedicated employee resource groups and is creating inclusive policies, processes and structures to promote a safe, equitable and barrier-free environment where employees can thrive. Its new inclusive holiday program is just another example of trying to accommodate staff.
Madhavee Inamdar, BCLC’s Manager of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging added that the program recognizes the individual values and beliefs of employees and celebrates that. She noted that the Crown is fortunate to have such a diverse workforce and is honouring that diversity and reaffirming its commitment to creating an inclusive culture at the organization.
In its press release, the Crown agency also remarked that there is one exception in the new program, which is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It wrote that in conjunction with its commitment to lasting and meaningful reconciliation, the day must be observed by all of its employees on September 30 of each year, which is why it cannot be substituted.
In June this year, BCLC celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day, and for the occasion, it raised the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc flag at its head office in Kamloops. Back then, the Crown agency explained that with the flag, the aim was to acknowledge that its main HQ is based in Tk’emlúps and that its employees are guests on the Tk’emlúpsemc.
Recognized for its Inclusivity Efforts
BCLC’s efforts to promote an inclusive workspace have not gone unnoticed, as in the summer of 2022, the Crown was recognized by Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging or DI&B by HR Director Canada. The gambling regulator of B.C. was assigned a 5-Star Diversity & Inclusion Employer for its tireless efforts for authentic inclusivity.
Source: “BCLC Marks Multiculturalism Week with Introduction of New Inclusive Holiday Program for Employees” BCLC, November 23, 2023
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