Hyundai Auto Canada has partnered with the BlackNorth Initiative CEO Pledge to promote diversity and increase equity within the automotive community, with President and CEO Don Romano becoming a signatory of the pledge.
Romano has also joined the BlackNorth Education Committee to participate in getting rid of systemic barriers in Canada’s education system. In a company news release, he said signing the pledge is an important milestone for the OEM, both for the organization and for anyone looking to work in a more “inclusive, mindful and respectful environment.”
“Along with this pledge, we are creating a sustainable plan to have an equitable organization that recognizes and celebrates the efforts and achievements of every member within,” said Romano.
Since 2018, the OEM provides mandatory “unconscious bias” training in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). Furthermore, 20 per cent of Hyundai Canada’s team members have registered to become certified in a three-course CCDI program (Foundations in Diversity & Inclusion) that includes Diversity and Inclusion Fundamentals, Unconscious Bias, and Respect in the Workplace.
The OEM’s team members also established two Employee Resource Groups (ERG): Inclusion@HAC and Women@HAC, while the company established a Diversity Advisory Group that meets with the CEO monthly. This is so they can provide advice on any actions that can be taken towards creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
“Difficult conversations and awareness sessions have been organized on a monthly basis and facilitated by various speakers,” said Hyundai Canada. “Some of these conversations tackled the topics of: White Privilege, Changing our Own Racist Behaviours, Cultural Competence, Be Colour Brave, Privilege as a Superpower, and LGBTQ 101.”
The OEM has also taken steps to update hiring and on-boarding strategies in order to attract, retain, and grow a diverse staff, and has launched several scholarships and initiatives.
