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It is hard to solve problems or run a successful business or make a good policy without all of the information. Yet this happens regularly when it comes to race, disability, sex, gender identity and other grounds covered by the Code. In many cases, information is not collected because of fear that doing so would itself be contravening the Code. That’s why the OHRC published a new guide called Count me in!, which dispels the myths and fears about collecting human rights-based data.
Launched in March 2010 with senior business and community leaders, Count me in! can be used in a wide variety of sectors. This 81-page guide offers a plain language, common-sense framework for collecting data in a way that can build trust and real solutions to human rights problems.
A growing number of businesses, public sector and non-profit employers are finding that collecting data plays a useful and often essential role in creating strong human rights and human resources strategies. Count me in! includes best practice examples of how data collection can improve internal work environments, provide better customer service, promote higher productivity, identify opportunities for growth and have a positive effect on the bottom line.
The guide also talks about how good data can help identify and verify whether problems exist, and if found, help organizations be proactive in addressing them. Good data can also help to gain trust, develop effective, respectful consultations, and gain the support of the decision-makers when creating sensitive policies, programs or initiatives.
The guide features the experiences of KPMG Canada, TD Bank Financial Group, Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, Mount Sinai Hospital, Maytree, The Toronto City Summit Alliance, Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute and the University of Guelph, among others. Each of these organizations assisted the OHRC as it developed the guide.
Two organizations, KPMG Canada and TD Bank Financial Group, also served as sponsoring partners, providing financial and in-kind assistance to design, print, distribute and launch the guide. Both groups offer compelling examples of how collecting human rights-based data makes solid business sense.
Count me in! is available in a variety of formats. It’s on our website too – www.ohrc.on.ca.