Best Practices in Inclusive Hiring: Work Study

Best Practices in Inclusive Hiring: Work Study advances efforts to continually cultivate a student-centred community. As a professional development resource for staff and faculty, this workshop asks Work Study supervisors to consider their role as one in which they directly impact the recruitment and future employment opportunities of students with diverse intersectional identities.

Launched in 2023 and run twice per term, this session fosters best practices in inclusive and accessible hiring, which facilitates meaningful, work-integrated learning opportunities for more than 4,000 students annually.

By addressing unconscious biases, supervisors can create more inclusive environments that support the University’s commitment to diversity and prepares students for future careers. By focusing on key foundations in, and tangible strategies for, inclusive hiring, Work Study supervisors are empowered to increase the diversity of their Work Study student colleague complement. Recognizing that a multitude of Work Study students become staff and faculty, increasing the diversity of hired students also holds the potential to increase pathways to careers and research in post-secondary for students with diverse intersectional identities.

When asked, “What is one action you will implement to make your hiring process more equitable and inclusive?” supervisors shared concrete actions they planned to take, underscoring the session’s impact. This also highlights supervisors’ integration of learning and commitment towards actionable change through the integration of inclusive hiring practices, ultimately increasing equitable access to opportunities for all students.

In 2024 and beyond, resources will continue to be created for the Work Study program to empower both supervisors and students to engage in equitable hiring, supportive supervising and continued  career learning support.