Giving Voice to Values: Aboriginal Hiring Initiative

Case 8: Aboriginal Hiring Initiative

Issue Identification

- PC manufacturing corporation has developed a special initiative to hire Aboriginals, with several complimentary programs and practices

- These programs have resulted in additional Aboriginal hires, however among them there have been high attrition rates

- Aboriginal employees who left the company cited subtle workplace discrimination, were dismissed due to irregular attendance, used PC as a basis for finding better employment

- Some employees feel there are too many special, potentially condescending considerations for aboriginals

Facts

- PC’s manufacturing practices are expansive with 8 sites and 2000 employees

- Committed to recruit more Aboriginals by sending recruitment teams to places where Aboriginals live and share employment opportunities

- Presence in local secondary schools to let students know about employment opportunities, established courses to train skills that were regularly used

- Training/apprenticeship program for youths to develop employable skills for working in all parts of the company, scholarships and financial aid provided for those who qualified

- Already hired more than 70 Aboriginal employees in a form of affirmative action

- Contracts with Aboriginal-run businesses for services and supplies and help entrepreneurs establish these businesses

- Special office within HR department to help integrate Aboriginals within non-Aboriginal workforce

- Continued high attrition rates among Aboriginal hires: some fired for irregular attendance, some felt special programs